Substituted phenoxy thiazolidinediones as estrogen related receptor-á modulators

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), 
                         
methods for preparing these compounds, compositions, intermediates and derivatives thereof and for treating a condition including but not limited to ankylosing spondylitis, artherosclerosis, arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, childhood arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis), bone-related diseases (including those related to bone formation), breast cancer (including those unresponsive to anti-estrogen therapy), cardiovascular disorders, cartilage-related disease (such as cartilage injury/loss, cartilage degeneration, and those related to cartilage formation), chondrodysplasia, chondrosarcoma, chronic back injury, chronic bronchitis, chronic inflammatory airway disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, disorders of energy homeostasis, gout, pseudogout, lipid disorders, metabolic syndrome, multiple myeloma, obesity, osteoarthritis, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteolytic bone metastasis, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, Paget&#39;s disease, periodontal disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, Reiter&#39;s syndrome, repetitive stress injury, hyperglycemia, elevated blood glucose level, and insulin resistance.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/043,269, filed Mar. 6, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,846,953 which claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/893,453, filed Mar. 7, 2007, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to certain novel compounds, methods for preparing compounds, compositions, intermediates and derivatives thereof and for treating conditions such as cancer, arthritis, inflammatory airway disease, and metabolic disorders. More particularly, the compounds of the present invention are Estrogen Related Receptor alpha (ERR-α) modulators useful for treating, ameliorating, slowing or inhibiting the progression of disease states, disorders, and conditions mediated by ERR-α activity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nuclear receptors are members of a superfamily of transcription factors. The members of this family share structural similarities and regulate a diverse set of biological effects (Olefsky, J. M. -J. Biol. Chem. 2001, 276(40), 36863-36864). Ligands activate or repress these transcription factors that control genes involved in metabolism, differentiation and reproduction (Laudet, V. and H. Gronmeyer. The Nuclear Receptor Factbooks. 2002, San Diego: Academic Press). Presently, the human genome project has identified about 48 members for this family and cognate ligands have been identified for about 28 of them (Giguere, V. Endocrine Rev. 1999, 20(5), 689-725). This protein family is composed of modular structural domains that can be interchanged within the members of the family without loss of function. A typical nuclear receptor contains a hypervariable N-terminus, a conserved DNA binding domain (DBD), a hinge region, and a conserved ligand-binding domain (LBD). The function of the DBD is targeting of the receptor to specific DNA sequences (NHR response elements or NREs), and the function of the LBD is recognition of its cognate ligand. Within the sequence of the nuclear receptor there are regions involved in transcriptional activation. The AF-1 domain is situated at the N-terminus and constitutively activates transcription (Rochette-Egly, C. et al. Cell 1997, 90, 97-107; Rochette-Egly, C. et al. Mol. Endocrinol. 1992, 6, 2197-2209), while the AF-2 domain is embedded within the LBD and its transcriptional activation is ligand dependent (Wurtz, J. M. et al. Nat. Struct. Biol. 1996, 3, 87-94). Nuclear receptors can exist as monomers, homodimers or heterodimers and bind to direct or inverted nucleotide repeats (Laudet and Gronmeyer, 2002; Aranda, A. and A. Pascual. Physiol. Rev. 2001, 81(3), 1269-1304).

The members of this family exist either in an activated or repressed basal biological state. The basic mechanism of gene activation involves ligand dependent exchange of co-regulatory proteins. These co-regulatory proteins are referred to as co-activators or co-repressors (McKenna, L. J. et al. Endocrine Rev. 1999, 20, 321-344). A nuclear receptor in the repressed state is bound to its DNA response element and is associated with co-repressor proteins that recruit histone de-acetylases (HDACs) (Jones, P. L. and Y. B. Shi. Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immunol. 2003, 274, 237-268). In the presence of an agonist there is an exchange of co-repressors with co-activators that in turn recruit transcription factors that assemble into an ATP dependent chromatin-remodeling complex. Histones are hyper-acetylated, causing the nucleosome to unfold, and repression is alleviated. The AF-2 domain acts as the ligand dependent molecular switch for the exchange of co-regulatory proteins. In the presence of an agonist the AF-2 domain undergoes a conformational transition and presents a surface on the LBD for interaction with co-activator proteins. In the absence of an agonist or in the presence of an antagonist the AF-2 domain presents a surface that promotes interactions with co-repressor proteins. The interaction surfaces on the LBD for both co-activators, and co-repressors overlap and provide a conserved molecular mechanism for gene activation or repression that is shared by the members of this family of transcription factors (Xu, H. E. et al. Nature 2002, 415 (6873), 813-817).

Natural ligands that modulate the biological activity of nuclear receptors have been identified for only approximately one half of known nuclear receptors. Receptors for which no natural ligand has been identified are termed “orphan receptors.” The discovery of ligands or compounds that interact with an orphan receptor will accelerate the understanding of the role of the nuclear receptors in physiology and disease and facilitate the pursuit of new therapeutic approaches. A sub-class of these receptors where no natural ligand has been identified is for the estrogen related receptors (ERRS).

ERR-α (also known as ERR-1), an orphan receptor, is the first of the three identified members of the estrogen receptor related subfamily of orphan nuclear receptors (ERR-α, β, γ). The ERR subfamily is closely related to the estrogen receptors (ER-α and ER-β). ERR-α and ER-β were first isolated by a low stringency hybridization screen (Giguere, V. et al. Nature 1988, 331, 91-94) followed later with the discovery of ERR-γ (Hong, H. et al. J. Biol. Chem. 1999, 274, 22618-22626). The ERRs and ERs share sequence similarity with the highest homology observed in their DBDs, approximately 60%, and all interact with the classical DNA estrogen response element. Recent biochemical evidence suggested that the ERRs and ERs share target genes, including pS2, lactoferin, aromatase and osteopontin, and share co-regulator proteins (Giguere, V. Trends in Endocrinol. Metab. 2002, 13, 220-225; Vanacker, J. M. et al. EMBO J. 1999, 18, 4270-4279; Kraus, R. J. et al. J. Biol. Chem. 2002, 272, 24286-24834; Hong et al., 1999; Zhang, Z. and C. T. Teng. J. Biol. Chem. 2000, 275, 20387-20846). Therefore, one of the main functions of ERR is to regulate the response of estrogen responsive genes. The effect of the steroid hormone estrogen is primarily mediated in the breast, bone and endometrium. Thus, the identification of compounds that will interact with ERRs should provide a benefit for the treatment of bone related disease, breast cancer and reproduction.

ERR-α is shown to be present both in normal and breast cancer tissue (Ariazi, E. A. et al. Cancer Res. 2002, 62, 6510-6518). It has been reported that the main function of ERR-α in normal breast tissue is that of a repressor for estrogen responsive genes. In breast cancers or cell lines that are non-estrogen responsive (ER-α negative), ERR-α has been reported to be in an activated state (Ariazi et al., 2002). Therefore, compounds that will interact with ERR-α may be useful agents for the treatment of breast cancer that is ER-α negative and non-responsive to classical anti-estrogenic therapy, or may be used as an adjunct agent for anti-estrogen responsive breast cancers. These agents may act as antagonists by reducing the biological activity of ERR-α in these particular tissues.

Many post-menopausal women experience osteoporosis, a condition that is a result of the reduction of estrogen production. Reduction of estrogen levels results in an increase of bone loss (Turner, R. T. et al. Endocrine Rev. 1994, 15(3), 275-300). An anabolic effect on bone development has been observed on the administration of estrogens to postmenopausal patients with osteoporosis (Pacifici, R. J. Bone Miner. Res. 1996, 11(8), 1043-1051) but the molecular mechanism is unknown since ER-α and ER-b knock-out animals have minor skeletal defects, where the action of estrogens is typically mediated (Korach, K. S. Science 1994, 266, 1524-1527; Windahl, S. H. et al. J. Clin. Invest. 1999, 104(7), 895-901). Expression of ERR-α in bone is regulated by estrogen (Bonnelye, E. et al. Mol. Endocrin. 1997, 11, 905-916; Bonnelye, E. et al. J. Cell Biol. 2001, 153, 971-984). ERR-α is maintained throughout osteoblast differentiation stages. Over-expression of ERR-α in rat calvaria osteoblasts, an accepted model of bone differentiation, results in an increase of bone nodule formation, while treatment of rat calvaria osteoblasts with ERR-α antisense results in a decrease of bone nodule formation. ERR-α also regulates osteopontin, a protein believed to be involved in bone matrix formation. Therefore compounds that will modulate ERR-α by increasing its activity can have an anabolic effect for the regeneration of bone density and provide a benefit over current approaches that prevent bone loss, but have no anabolic effect. Such compounds can enhance the activity of the receptor by two possible mechanisms: i) enhancing the association of the receptor with proteins that enhance its activity or improve the stability of the receptor; and ii) increasing the intracellular concentrations of the receptor and consequently increasing its activity. Conversely, with respect to bone diseases that are a result of abnormal bone growth, compounds that will interact with ERR-α and decrease its biological activity may provide a benefit for the treatment of these diseases by retarding bone growth. Antagonism of the association of the receptor with co-activator proteins decreases the activity of the receptor.

ERR-α is also present in cardiac, adipose, and muscle tissue and forms a transcriptional active complex with the PGC-1 co-activator family, co-activators implicated with energy homeostasis, mitochondria biogenesis, hepatic gluconeogenesis and in the regulation of genes involved in fatty acid beta-oxidation (Kamei, Y. et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2003, 100(21), 12378-12383). ERR-α regulates the expression of the medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase promoter (MCAD). Medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase is a gene involved in the initial reaction in fatty acid beta-oxidation. It is believed that in the adipose tissue ERR-α regulates energy expenditure through the regulation of MCAD (Sladek, R. et al. Mol. Cell. Biol. 1997, 17, 5400-5409; Vega, R. B. and D. P. Kelly. J. Biol. Chem. 1997, 272, 31693-31699). In antisense experiments in rat calvaria osteoblasts, in addition to the inhibition of bone nodule formation, there was an increase in adipocyte differentiation markers including aP2 and PPAR-γ (Bonnelye, E. et al. Endocrinology 2002, 143, 3658-3670). Recently an ERR-α knockout model has been described that exhibited reduced fat mass relative to the wild type and DNA chip analysis data indicated alteration of the expression levels of genes involved in adipogenesis and energy metabolism (Luo, J. et al. Mol. Cell. Biol. 2003, 23(22), 7947-7956). More recently it has been shown that ERR-α regulates the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, a gene that has a protective mechanism against arteriosclerosis (Sumi, D. and L. J. Ignarro. Proc Natl. Acad. Sci. 2003, 100, 14451-14456). The biochemical evidence supports the involvement of ERR-α in metabolic homeostasis and differentiation of cells into adipocytes. Therefore, compounds interacting with ERR-α can affect energy homeostasis and may therefore provide a benefit for the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome related disease indications, including arteriosclerosis and diabetes (Grundy, S. M. et al. Circulation 2004, 109(3), 433-438).

Lion Bioscience AG has disclosed the use of certain pyrazole derivatives as antagonists of ERR-α for treating cancer, osteoporosis, obesity, lipid disorders and cardiovascular disorders and for regulating fertility (European Published Patent Application 1398029).

There is a continuing need for new ERR-α inverse agonists. There is also a need for ERR-α inverse agonists useful for the treatment of conditions including but not limited to bone-related disease, bone formation, breast cancer (including those unresponsive to anti-estrogen therapy), cartilage formation, cartilage injury, cartilage loss, cartilage degeneration, cartilage injury, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic back injury, gout, osteoporosis, osteolytic bone metastasis, multiple myeloma, chondrosarcoma, chondrodysplasia, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteomalacia, Paget's disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, pseudogout, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, childhood arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, repetitive stress injury, periodontal disease, chronic inflammatory airway disease, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, disorders of energy homeostasis, diabetes, lipid disorders, cardiovascular disorders, artherosclerosis, hyperglycemia, elevated blood glucose level, and insulin resistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its many embodiments, the present invention provides novel compounds useful as, for example, ERR-α inverse agonists, methods of preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more such compounds, methods of preparing pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more such compounds, and methods of treatment, prevention, inhibition or amelioration of one or more diseases associated with ERR-α using such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions.

One aspect of the present invention features a compound of Formula (I)

wherein

R₁ is halo, optionally substituted C₁₋₄alkyl, optionally substituted C₁₋₄alkoxy, or hydroxyl;

R₂ is selected from halo substituted C₁₋₃alkyl, cyano, halo, —C(O)NH₂, and —C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl, or alternatively R₂ is linked together to R₃ to form an aryl fused to the phenyl ring to which R₂ and R₃ are shown attached;

R₃ is H, or alternatively R₃ is linked together to R₂ to form an aryl fused to the phenyl ring to which R₃ and R₂ are shown attached;

R₄ is halo, cyano, —C≡CH, halo substituted C₁₋₃alkyl, —C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl, —C(O)NH₂, or —S(O₂)—C₁₋₄alkyl; and

X is S or O;

or an optical isomer, enantiomer, diastereomer, cis-trans isomer, racemate, prodrug or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Another aspect of the present invention features a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of Formula (I) and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The present invention also features a method of treating a subject suffering from or diagnosed with a disease, disorder, or condition mediated by ERR-α activity, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula (I). Such disease, disorder, or condition can include bone-related disease, bone formation, breast cancer (including those unresponsive to anti-estrogen therapy), cartilage formation, cartilage injury, cartilage loss, cartilage degeneration, cartilage injury, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic back injury, gout, osteoporosis, osteolytic bone metastasis, multiple myeloma, chondrosarcoma, chondrodysplasia, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteomalacia, Paget's disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, pseudogout, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, childhood arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, repetitive stress injury, periodontal disease, chronic inflammatory airway disease, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, disorders of energy homeostasis, diabetes, lipid disorders, cardiovascular disorders, artherosclerosis, hyperglycemia, elevated blood glucose level, and insulin resistance. The therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) can be from about 0.1 mg/day to about 5000 mg/day for an average human.

The present invention further features a process for making a pharmaceutical composition comprising admixing any of the compounds according to Formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Additional embodiments and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed discussion, schemes, examples, and claims below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates the effects of Compound 1 (Example 1) on weight and food intake.

FIG. 2 illustrates the effect of Compound 1 on glucose excursion in an OGTT in male C57/BL6 mice after 14 days of treatment

FIG. 3 illustrates the effect of Compound 1 on fed triglyceride and FFA levels in ZDF rats.

FIG. 4 illustrates the effect of compound 1 on circulating glucose levels during an ITT at 11 days post dosing in male ZDF rat diabetic model. The panel on the left shows reduction of glucose levels upon intraperitoneal delivery of insulin is seen for all compound 1 treatment groups normalizing glucose levels at the 30 minute time point. The panel on the right shows reduction of AUC of glucose during the ITT at the 0-60 and 0-120 minute time points.

FIG. 5 illustrates the reduction in fasted glucose levels upon treatment of Compound 1 in ZDF rats. The panel on the left panel shows four-hour fasting glucose at day eleven of treatment. The panel on the right shows 16-hour fasting glucose at day 20 of treatment.

FIG. 6 illustrates the effect of Compound 1 in glucose excursion in an OGTT in male ZDF rats. The panel at the left shows the blood glucose levels at various time points relative to glucose injection. The panel at the right shows the AUC of glucose from 0-120 minutes from the OGTT.

FIG. 7 illustrates the effect of Compound 1 on insulin release during an OGTT in male ZDF rats. The panel on the left shows blood insulin levels at various time points. The panel on the right shows AUC of insulin from 0-120 minutes from the OGTT.

FIG. 8 illustrates the effect of compound 1 on glycemic control in male ZDF rats. The panel on the left shows the fed glucose levels throughout the first three weeks of the study. The panel on the right shows the glycosylated hemoglobin concentration after 26 days treatment.

FIG. 9 illustrates the effect of Compound 1 on insulin levels in the ZDF rat model. The panel on the left shows the fed plasma insulin levels. The panel on the right shows total pancreatic insulin content.

FIG. 10 illustrates the effect of compound 1 on circulating glucose levels during an ITT at 11 days post dosing in male ZDF rat diabetic model. The panel on the left shows reduction of glucose levels upon intraperitoneal delivery of insulin is seen for all compound 1 treatment groups normalizing glucose levels at the 30 minute time point. The panel on the right shows reduction of AUC of glucose during the ITT at the 0-60 and 0-120 minute time point.

FIG. 11 illustrates the reduction in fasted glucose levels upon treatment of compound 1 in ZDF rats. The panel on the left shows four hour fasting glucose at day sixteen of treatment. The panel on the right shows 16 hour fasting glucose at day 22 of treatment.

FIG. 12 illustrates the effect of compound 1 in glucose excursion in an OGTT in male ZDF rats. The panel on the left shows the blood glucose levels at various time points and the panel on the right shows the AUC of glucose from 0-160 minutes from the OGTT.

FIG. 13 illustrates the effect of compound 1 on glycemic control in male ZDF rats. The chart shows fed glucose levels throughout the first three weeks of the study.

FIG. 14 illustrates the effect of compound 1 on insulin levels in the ZDF rat model. The chart shows total pancreatic insulin content in treated ZDF animals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to novel ERR-α modulators and compositions thereof for treatment, amelioration, prevention or inhibition of numerous conditions including but not limited to cancer, arthritis, inflammatory airway disease, bone-related diseases, metabolic disorders, and associated symptoms or complications thereof.

One aspect of the present invention features a compound of Formula (I)

wherein

R₁ is halo, optionally substituted C₁₋₄alkyl, optionally substituted C₁₋₄alkoxy, or hydroxyl;

R₂ is selected from halo substituted C₁₋₃alkyl, cyano, halo, —C(O)NH₂, and —C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl, alternatively R₂ is linked together to R₃ to form an aryl fused to the phenyl ring to which R₂ and R₃ are shown attached;

R₃ is H, or alternatively R₃ is linked together to R₂ to form an aryl fused to the phenyl ring to which R₃ and R₂ are shown attached;

R₄ is halo, cyano, —C≡CH, halo substituted C₁₋₃alkyl, —C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl, —C(O)NH₂, or —S(O₂)—C₁₋₄alkyl; and

X is S or O;

or an optical isomer, enantiomer, diastereomer, cis-trans isomer, racemate, prodrug or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In particular, the present invention includes a cis-trans isomer of the compound of Formula (I), which has the following structure:

Particularly, R₁ is OH, C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₂alkoxy, F, Cl, or Br. More particularly, R₁ is —O—CH₃ or —O—CH₂CH₃. In one embodiment, R₁ is —O—CH₃

Particularly, R₂ is CF₃, —C(O)NH₂, CN, —C(O)O—CH₃, Cl, or Br.

Particularly, R₃ is H.

Particularly, R₂ is linked together to R₃ to form a phenyl fused to the phenyl ring to which R₂ and R₃ are shown attached.

Particularly, R₂ is CF₃ and R₃ is H, or alternatively R₂ is linked together to R₃ to form a phenyl fused to the phenyl ring to which R₂ and R₃ are shown attached.

Particularly, R₄ is Br, cyano, CF₃, —C≡CH, —C(O)O—CH₃, —C(O)NH₂, or —S(O₂)—CH₃. More particularly, R₄ is cyano, —C(O)O—CH₃, or —C(O)NH₂.

Particularly, X is S.

Particularly, the present invention includes a compound of Formula (I) wherein

-   -   R₁ is OH, C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₂alkoxy, F, Cl, or Br;     -   R₂ is CF₃, —C(O)NH₂, CN, —C(O)O—CH₃, Cl, or Br; or alternatively         R₂ is linked together to R₃ to form a phenyl fused to the phenyl         ring to which R₂ and R₃ are shown attached;     -   R₃ is H, or alternatively R₃ is linked together to R₂ to form a         phenyl fused to the phenyl ring to which R₃ and R₂ are shown         attached;     -   R₄ is Br, cyano, CF₃, —C≡CH, —C(O)O—CH₃, —C(O)NH₂, or         —S(O₂)—CH₃; and     -   X is S;         or an optical isomer, enantiomer, diastereomer, racemate,         cis-trans isomer, prodrug or pharmaceutically acceptable salt         thereof.

More particularly, an example of the present invention includes compounds of Formula (I) wherein

-   -   R₁ is C₁₋₂alkoxy;     -   R₂ is CF₃, or alternatively R₂ is linked together to R₃ to form         a phenyl fused to the phenyl ring to which R₂ and R₃ are shown         attached;     -   R₃ is H, or alternatively R₃ is linked together to R₂ to form a         phenyl fused to the phenyl ring to which R₃ and R₂ are shown         attached;     -   R₄ is cyano, —C≡CH, —C(O)O—CH₃, —C(O)NH₂, or —S(O₂)—CH₃; and X         is S.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is a compound of Formula (I) wherein

-   -   R₁ is —O—CH₃;     -   R₂ is CF₃;     -   R₃ is H;     -   R₄ is cyano; and     -   X is S.

It is an embodiment of the present invention to provide a compound selected from:

Particularly, the present invention provides a compound selected from:

More particularly, the present invention provides a compound selected from:

In particular, the present invention provides

In particular, the present invention provides

In particular, the present invention provides

Another aspect of the present invention features a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of Formula (I) and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Particularly, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can further comprise at least one additional agent, drug, medicament, antibody and/or inhibitor for treating, ameliorating or slowing a ERR-α mediated disease. More particularly, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound selected from:

More particularly, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound selected from:

The present invention also features a method of treating a subject suffering from or diagnosed with a disease, disorder, or condition mediated by ERR-α activity, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula (I).

The present invention also features a method for slowing or inhibiting the progression of an ERR-α-mediated condition in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula (I).

The present invention also features a method for treating a prediabetic condition in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula (I).

Such disease, disorder, or condition can include bone-related disease, bone formation, breast cancer (including those unresponsive to anti-estrogen therapy), cartilage formation, cartilage loss, cartilage degeneration, cartilage injury, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic back injury, gout, osteoporosis, osteolytic bone metastasis, multiple myeloma, chondrosarcoma, chondrodysplasia, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteomalacia, Paget's disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, pseudogout, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, childhood arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, repetitive stress injury, periodontal disease, chronic inflammatory airway disease, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, disorders of energy homeostasis, diabetes, lipid disorders, cardiovascular disorders, artherosclerosis, hyperglycemia, elevated blood glucose level, and insulin resistance.

According to one aspect of the invention, the disclosed compounds and compositions are useful for the amelioration of symptoms associated with, the treatment of, and/or inhibiting the progression of, the following conditions and diseases: bone-related disease, bone formation, cartilage formation, cartilage loss, cartilage degeneration, cartilage injury, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic back injury, gout, osteoporosis, osteolytic bone metastasis, multiple myeloma, chondrosarcoma, chondrodysplasia, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteomalacia, Paget's disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, pseudogout, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, childhood arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, and repetitive stress injury.

According to another aspect of the invention, the disclosed compounds and compositions are useful for the amelioration of symptoms associated with, the treatment of, slowing and/or inhibiting the progression of, the following conditions and diseases: periodontal disease, chronic inflammatory airway disease, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the disclosed compounds and compositions are useful for the amelioration of symptoms associated with, the treatment of, slowing and/or inhibiting the progression of breast cancer.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the disclosed compounds and compositions are useful for the amelioration of symptoms associated with, the treatment of, slowing and/or inhibiting the progression of, the following conditions and diseases: metabolic syndrome, obesity, disorders of energy homeostasis, diabetes, lipid disorders, cardiovascular disorders, artherosclerosis, hyperglycemia, elevated blood glucose level, and insulin resistance.

Particularly, a method of the present invention comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of (a) at least one compound of Formula (I); and (b) at least one additional agent selected from a second ERR-α inverse agonist, an ERR-α antagonist, a glucokinase modulator, an anti-diabetic agent, an anti-obesity agent, a lipid lowering agent, an anti-thrombotic agent, direct thrombin inhibitor, and a blood pressure lowering agent, said administration being in any order. More particularly, the additional agent in (b) is a second ERR-α inverse agonist different from the compound in (a). More particularly, the additional agent in (b) is an anti-obesity agent selected from CB1 antagonists, monoamine reuptake inhibitors, and lipase inhibitors. More particularly, the additional agent in (b) is selected from rimonabant, sibutramine, and orlistat.

The present invention also features a method for treating or inhibiting the progression of one or more ERR-α-mediated conditions, said method comprising administering to a patient in need of treatment a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition of the invention.

It is a further embodiment of the invention to provide a process for making a pharmaceutical composition comprising admixing any of the compounds according to Formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The invention also features pharmaceutical compositions which include, without limitation, one or more of the disclosed compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a method for treating or ameliorating an ERR-α-mediated condition in a subject in need thereof comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula (I), wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) is from about 0.1 mg/dose to about 5 g/dose. In particular, the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) is from about 0.5 mg/dose to about 1000 mg/dose. More particularly, the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) is from about 1 mg/dose to about 100 mg/dose. In a further embodiment of the invention, the number of doses per day of a compound of Formula (I) is from 1 to 3 doses. In a further embodiment of the invention, the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) is from about 0.001 mg/kg/day to about 30 mg/kg/day. More particularly, the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) is from about 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 2 mg/kg/day.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a method for slowing or inhibiting the progression of an ERR-α-mediated condition in a subject in need thereof comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula (I), wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) is from about 0.1 mg/dose to about 5 g/dose. In particular, the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) is from about 1 mg/dose to about 100 mg/dose. In a further embodiment of the invention, the number of doses per day of a compound of Formula (I) is from 1 to 3 doses. In a further embodiment of the invention, the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) is from about 0.001 mg/kg/day to about 30 mg/kg/day. More particularly, the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) is from about 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 2 mg/kg/day.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method for treating a prediabetic condition in a subject in need thereof, comprises administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula (I), wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) is from about 0.1 mg/dose to about 5 g/dose. In particular, the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) is from about 1 mg/dose to about 100 mg/dose. In a further embodiment of the invention, the number of doses per day of a compound of Formula (I) is from 1 to 3 doses. In a further embodiment of the invention, the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) is from about 0.001 mg/kg/day to about 30 mg/kg/day. More particularly, the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) is from about 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 2 mg/kg/day.

The invention is further described below.

A) TERMS

Some terms are defined below and by their usage throughout this disclosure.

Unless otherwise noted, “alkyl” as used herein, whether used alone or as part of a substituent group, refers to a saturated, branched, or straight-chain monovalent hydrocarbon radical derived by the removal of one hydrogen atom from a single carbon atom of a parent alkane. Typical alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl; ethyls such as ethanyl; propyls such as propan-1-yl, propan-2-yl, cyclopropan-1-yl.; butyls such as butan-1-yl, butan-2-yl, 2-methyl-propan-1-yl, 2-methyl-propan-2-yl, cyclobutan-1-yl and the like. In preferred embodiments, the alkyl groups are C₁₋₆alkyl, with C₁₋₃ being particularly preferred. “Alkoxy” radicals are oxygen ethers formed from the previously described straight or branched chain alkyl groups. In some embodiments, the alkyl or alkoxy are independently substituted with one to three groups including, but not limited to, oxo, amino, alkoxy, carboxy, hydroxyl, and halo (F, Cl, Br, or I).

The term “aryl,” as used herein, refers to aromatic groups comprising a stable six-membered monocyclic, or ten-membered bicyclic or fourteen-membered tricyclic aromatic ring system which consists of carbon atoms. Examples of aryl groups include, but are not limited to, phenyl or naphthalenyl. In some embodiments, “aryl” is substituted. For instance, “aryl” can be substituted with, e.g., optionally substituted C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, halo, hydroxyl, —CN, —C(O)OH, —C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl, —C(O)NR′R″, —SR′, —OR′, —C(O)R′, —N(R′)(R″), —S(O)₂—R′, and —S(O)₂—N(R′)(R″), wherein R′ and R″ are independently selected from H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and/or heterocyclyl.

The term “alkenyl” refers to an unsaturated branched, straight-chain or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon radical, which has at least one carbon-carbon double bond, derived by the removal of one hydrogen atom from a single carbon atom of a parent alkene. The radical may be in either the cis or trans conformation about the double bond(s). Typical alkenyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethenyl; propenyls such as prop-1-en-1-yl, prop-1-en-2-yl, prop-2-en-1-yl, prop-2-en-2-yl, cycloprop-1-en-1-yl; cycloprop-2-en-1-yl; butenyls such as but-1-en-1-yl, but-1-en-2-yl, 2-methyl-prop-1-en-1-yl, but-2-en-1-yl, but-2-en-1-yl, but-2-en-2-yl, buta-1,3-dien-1-yl, buta-1,3-dien-2-yl, cyclobut-1-en-1-yl, cyclobut-1-en-3-yl, cyclobuta-1,3-dien-1-yl, etc.; and the like. In some embodiments, the alkenyl is substituted with one to five, preferably one to three groups including, but not limited to, oxo, amino, alkoxy, carboxy, heterocyclyl, hydroxyl, and halo.

The term “alkynyl” refers to an unsaturated branched, straight-chain or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon radical, which has at least one carbon-carbon triple bond, derived by the removal of one hydrogen atom from a single carbon atom of a parent alkyne. Typical alkynyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethynyl; propynyls such as prop-1-yn-1-yl, prop-2-yn-1-yl, etc.; butynyls such as but-1-yn-1-yl, but-1-yn-3-yl, but-3-yn-1-yl, etc.; and the like. In some embodiments, the alkynyl is substituted with one to five, preferably one to three groups including, but not limited to, oxo, amino, alkoxy, carboxy, heterocyclyl, hydroxyl, and halo.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to a monovalent heteroaromatic radical derived by the removal of one hydrogen atom from a single atom of a parent heteroaromatic ring system. Typical heteroaryl groups include monocyclic and bicyclic systems where one or both rings are heteroaromatic Heteroaromatic rings may contain 1-4 heteroatoms selected from O, N, and S. Examples include but are not limited to, radicals derived from carbazole, imidazole, indazole, indole, indolizine, isoindole, isoquinoline, isothiazole, isoxazole, naphthyridine, oxadiazole, oxazole, purine, pyrazine, pyrazole, pyridazine, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrrole, pyrrolizine, quinazoline, quinoline, quinolizine, quinoxaline, tetrazole, thiadiazole, thiazole, thiophene, triazole, xanthene, and the like. In some embodiments, “heteroaryl” is substituted. For instance, “heteroaryl” can be substituted with, e.g., optionally substituted C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, halo, hydroxyl, —CN, —C(O)OH, —C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl, —C(O)NR′R″—OR′, —SR′—C(O)R′, —N(R′)(R″), —S(O)₂—R′, and —S(O)₂—N(R′)(R″), wherein R′ and R″ are independently selected from H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and/or heterocyclyl.

The term “heterocyclyl” or “heterocycle” is a 3- to 8-member saturated, or partially saturated single or fused ring system which consists of carbon atoms and from 1 to 6 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S. The heterocyclyl group may be attached at any heteroatom or carbon atom which results in the creation of a stable structure. Example of heterocyclyl groups include, but are not limited to, 2-imidazoline, imidazolidine; morpholine, oxazoline, 2-pyrroline, 3-pyrroline, pyrrolidine, pyridone, pyrimidone, piperazine, piperidine, indoline, tetrahydrofuran, 2-pyrroline, 3-pyrroline, 2-imidazoline, 2-pyrazoline, and indolinone. In some embodiments, “heterocyclyl” or “heterocycle” are independently substituted. For instance, “heterocyclyl” or “heterocycle” can be substituted with, e.g., optionally substituted C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, halo, hydroxyl, —CN, —C(O)OH, —C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl, —C(O)NR′R″—OR′, —SR′—C(O)R′, —N(R′)(R″), —S(O)₂—R′, and —S(O)₂—N(R′)(R″), wherein R′ and R″ are independently selected from H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and/or heterocyclyl.

The term “oxo” whether used alone or as part of a substituent group refers to an O═ to either a carbon or a sulfur atom. For example, phthalimide and saccharin are examples of compounds with oxo substituents.

The term “cis-trans isomer” refers to stereoisomeric olefins or cycloalkanes (or hetero-analogues) which differ in the positions of atoms (or groups) relative to a reference plane: in the cis-isomer the atoms are on the same side; in the trans-isomer they are on opposite sides.

The term “substituted” refers to a radical in which one or more hydrogen atoms are each independently replaced with the same or different substituent(s).

The term “composition” is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combinations of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts.

The term “subject” as used herein, refers to an animal, preferably a mammal, most preferably a human, who is the object of treatment, observation or experiment.

It is intended that the definition of any substituent or variable at a particular location in a molecule be independent of its definitions elsewhere in that molecule. It is understood that substituents and substitution patterns on the compounds of this invention can be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art to provide compounds that are chemically stable and that can be readily synthesized by techniques known in the art as well as those methods set forth herein.

The term “inverse agonist” as used herein refers to compounds or substances that have the ability to decrease the constitutive level of receptor activation in the absence of an agonist instead of only blocking the activation induced by agonist binding at the receptor.

Metabolic disorders, diseases, or conditions include, but are not limited to, diabetes, obesity, and associated symptoms or complications thereof. They include such conditions as IDDM (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus), NIDDM (non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus), IGT (Impaired Glucose Tolerance), IFG (Impaired Fasting Glucose), Syndrome X (or Metabolic Syndrome), hyperglycemia, elevated blood glucose level, and insulin resistance. A condition such as IGT or IFG is also known as a “prediabetic condition” or “prediabetic state.”

Methods are known in the art for determining effective doses for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes for the disclosed pharmaceutical compositions or the disclosed drug combinations, whether or not formulated in the same composition. For therapeutic purposes, the term “therapeutically effective amount” as used herein, means that amount of each active compound or pharmaceutical agent, alone or in combination, that elicits the biological or medicinal response in a tissue system, animal or human that is being sought by a researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician, which includes alleviation of the symptoms of the disease or disorder being treated. For prophylactic purposes (i.e., inhibiting the onset or progression of a disorder), the term “therapeutically effective amount” refers to that amount of each active compound or pharmaceutical agent, alone or in combination, that treats or inhibits in a subject the onset or progression of a disorder as being sought by a researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician. Thus, the present invention provides combinations of two or more drugs wherein, for example, (a) each drug is administered in an independently therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount; (b) at least one drug in the combination is administered in an amount that is sub-therapeutic or sub-prophylactic if administered alone, but is therapeutic or prophylactic when administered in combination with the second or additional drugs according to the invention; or (c) both (or more) drugs are administered in an amount that is sub-therapeutic or sub-prophylactic if administered alone, but are therapeutic or prophylactic when administered together.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable salts (Ref. International J. Pharm., 1986, 33, 201-217; J. Pharm. Sci., 1997 (January), 66, 1, 1). Other salts well known to those in the art may, however, be useful in the preparation of compounds according to this invention or of their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Representative organic or inorganic acids include, but are not limited to, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydriodic, perchloric, sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric, acetic, propionic, glycolic, lactic, succinic, maleic, fumaric, malic, tartaric, citric, benzoic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, hydroxyethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, oxalic, pamoic, 2-naphthalenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, cyclohexanesulfamic, salicylic, saccharinic or trifluoroacetic acid. Representative organic or inorganic bases include, but are not limited to, basic or cationic salts such as benzathine, chloroprocaine, choline, diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, meglumine, procaine, aluminum, calcium, lithium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and zinc.

B) COMPOUNDS

Representative compounds of the present invention are listed in Table I below:

TABLE I STRUCTURE COMPOUND # NAME

1 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]- 3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

2 5-[4-(2-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl- phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzylidene]- thiazolidine-2,4-dione

3 5-[4-(2-Bromo-4-methanesulfonyl- phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzylidene]- thiazolidine-2,4-dione

4 5-[4-(2-Chloro-4-methanesulfonyl- phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzylidene]- thiazolidine-2,4-dione

5 5-[4-(4-Bromo-2-trifluoromethyl- phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzylidene]- thiazolidine-2,4-dione

6 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]- 3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide

7 2-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]- 5-trifluoromethyl-benzamide

8 2-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]- 5-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

9 2-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]- 5-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid methyl ester

10 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]- 3-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid methyl ester

11 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-methyl-phenoxy]- naphthalene-1-carbonitrile

12 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-fluoro-phenoxy]-3- trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

13 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-ethoxy-phenoxy]-3- trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

14 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-methyl-phenoxy]-3- trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

15 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-ethoxy-phenoxy]- naphthalene-1-carbonitrile

16 4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxo-thiazolidin- 5-ylidenemethyl)-phenoxy]-3- trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

17 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-fluoro-phenoxy]- naphthalene-1-carbonitrile

18 4-[2-Chloro-4-(2,4-dioxo-thiazolidin- 5-ylidenemethyl)-phenoxy]-3- trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

19 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2- methoxyphenoxy]naphthalene-1- carbonitrile

20 5-[4-(2-Bromo-4- trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-3- methoxybenzylidene]thiazolidine- 2,4-dione

21 3-Chloro-4-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy- phenoxy]benzonitrile

22 3-Bromo-4-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin- 5-ylidenemethyl)-2- methoxyphenoxy]benzonitrile

23 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-oxazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]- naphthalene-1-carbonitrile

24 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-oxazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]- naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester

25 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-oxazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]- naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid amide

26 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl- phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl- benzonitrile

27 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-ethoxy-phenoxy]-3- trifluoromethyl-benzamide

28 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-methyl-phenoxy]-3- trifluoromethyl-benzamide

29 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)-2-trifluoromethoxy- phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl- benzonitrile

30 5-[4-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethyl- phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzylidene]- thiazolidine-2,4-dione

31 5-[4-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethyl- phenoxy)-3-fluoro-benzylidene]- thiazolidine-2,4-dione

C) SYNTHESIS

The invention provides methods of making the disclosed compounds according to traditional organic synthetic methods as well as matrix or combinatorial synthetic methods. Scheme 1 describes suggested synthetic routes. Using the scheme, the guidelines below, and the examples, a person of skill in the art may develop analogous or similar methods for a given compound that is within the invention. These methods are representative of the synthetic schemes, but are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Furthermore, some of the crystalline forms for the compounds may exist as polymorphs and as such are intended to be included in the present invention. In addition, some of the compounds may form solvates with water (i.e., hydrates) or common organic solvents, and such solvates are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of this invention.

Examples of the described synthetic routes include Scheme 1, Examples 1 through 31, and General Procedures A-D. Compounds analogous to the target compounds of these examples can be made according to similar routes. The disclosed compounds are useful as pharmaceutical agents as described herein.

Abbreviations or acronyms useful herein include:

-   -   AIBN (2,2′-Azobisisobutyronitrile)     -   Boc (tert butyl carbamate)     -   BOP (Benzotriazol-1-yloxy)tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium         hexyluorophosphate)     -   BuLi (butyllithium)     -   DIBAL-H (Diisobutylaluminum hydride)     -   DMAP (4-(dimethylamino)pyridine)     -   DME (Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether)     -   DMF (dimethylformamide)     -   DMPU (1,3-Dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone)     -   DMSO (methyl sulfoxide)     -   EDC(N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide)     -   EDCI (1-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide         hydrochloride)     -   Et (ethyl)     -   EtOAc (ethyl acetate)     -   h or hr (hour(s))     -   HATU (O-(7-Azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium         hexafluorophosphate)     -   HMPA (Hexamethylphosphoramide)     -   HOBt (1-Hydroxybenzotriazole monohydrate)     -   LCMS (high pressure liquid chroatography with mass spectrometer)     -   LDA (Lithium diisopropylamide)     -   LHMDS (lithium hexamethyl disilazide)     -   Me (methyl)     -   Mg (milligram)     -   MOM (Methoxymethyl)     -   NaHMDS (sodium hexamethyl disilazide)     -   NaO^(t)Bu (sodium tert-butoxide)     -   NBS (N-Bromosuccinimide)     -   NMP (N-Methyl Pyrrolidinone)     -   rt or RT (room temperature)     -   SPE (solid phase extraction)     -   TBTU (O-Benzotriazol-1-yl-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium         hexafluorophosphate)     -   TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy, free radical)     -   TFA (trifluoroacetic acid);     -   THF (tetrahydrofuran)     -   TLC (thin layer chromatography)         General Guidance

The compounds of Formula I, wherein X, R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are defined herein, can be synthesized as outlined by the general synthetic route illustrated in Scheme 1. Treatment of an appropriate hydroxybenzaldehyde II and aryl fluoride III, both of which are either commercially available or can be made from commercially available starting materials, with a base such as K₂CO₃ in a solvent such as DMF at a temperature preferably between 25-150° C. can provide the phenoxyaldehyde IV. Knoevenagel reaction of aldehyde IV with the cyclic dione V in the presence of a catalytic amount of base such as piperidine and an acid such as benzoic acid can provide the compounds of Formula (I). The Knoevenage reaction is typically performed in an aprotic solvent such as toluene at a temperature of, preferably, 100-200° C. The reaction between aldehyde IV and cyclic dione V may also be performed with a base such as sodium acetate in a solvent such as acetonitrile at an elevated temperature preferably between 50-150° C. or in the presence of ammonium acetate in acetic acid at elevated temperatures preferably between 50-150° C.

EXAMPLES

General Procedure A: A solution of an appropriate substituted benzaldehyde (1.65 g, 10.86 mmol) and aryl fluoride (10.26 mmol) in DMF (15 mL) was treated with K₂CO₃ (2.83 g, 21.72 mmol), and the mixture was heated in an oil bath at 80° C. for 12 h. The reaction was cooled to RT and partitioned between EtOAc and H₂O. The organic phase was washed with water (3×), dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. Silica gel chromtagraphy (EtOAc/hexanes) afforded the pure product.

General Procedure B: Thiazolidine-2,4-dione (2.55 g, 21.79 mmol) and aldehyde from Procedure A (21.79 mmol) were dissolved in toluene (150 mL) and treated with benzoic acid (3.27 mmol) and piperidine (2.83 mmol). The flask was equipped with a Dean-Stark trap, and the reaction was refluxed in a 130° C. oil bath for 12 h. After cooling to RT, the product was collected by filtration and triturated with hexanes to afford a pure product.

General Procedure C. Thiazolidine-2,4-dione (19 mg, 0.16 mmol), aldehyde from Procedure A above (0.098 mmol) and sodium acetate (30 mg, 0.37 mmol) were suspended in CH₃CN (2 mL) and heated to 105° C. (aluminum heating block). The CH₃CN was allowed to evaporate over 10-12 minutes then repeated using two additional portions of CH₃CN (2 mL). The solid residue was cooled to RT, then H₂O (2 mL) was added and the mixture heated to 75° C. for 10 minutes. The mixture was cooled to RT and the product was collected by filtration, dissolved in acetone, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to afford the pure product.

General Procedure D: To a mixture of thiazolidine-2,4-dione (117 mg, 1.0 mmol) and aldehyde from Procedure A (1.0 mmol) was added acetic acid (1.0 mL) and NH₄OAc (2.0 mmol). The suspension was heated at 100° C. (aluminum heating block) for 2 h. The product was collected by filtration, washed with water and triturated with EtOAc/hexanes to afford a pure product.

Example 1 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

-   -   A. 4-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         was prepared from vanillin and         4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethylbenzonitrile following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, CDCl₃) δ 10.00 (s, 1H), 8.00 (m,         1H), 7.68 (dd, 1H), 7.58-7.53 (m, 2H), 7.29 (d, 1H), 6.75 (d,         1H), 3.83 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 322.1 (calculated for         C₁₆H₁₁F₃NO₃, 322.06).     -   B.         4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         was prepared using         4-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         following General Procedure B. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, DMSO-d6) δ 12.68         (NH), 8.32 (d, 1H), 8.00 (dd, 1H), 7.83 (s, 1H), 7.49 (d, 1H),         7.36 (d, 1H), 7.26 (dd, 1H), 6.90 (d, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H); LC/MS         (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 421.0 (calculated for C₁₉H₁₂F₃N₂O₄S, 421.04).

Example 2 5-[4-(2-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

-   -   A. 4-(2-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde         was prepared from vanillin and         3-chloro-1-fluoro-4-trifluoromethylbenzene following General         Procedure A. LC/MS (m/z) [M]⁺ 330.0 (calculated for         C₁₅H₁₀ClF₃O₃, 330.03).     -   B.         5-[4-(2-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione         was prepared using         4-(2-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde         following General Procedure C. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, acetone-d6) δ         7.89 (d, 1H), 7.84 (s, 1H), 7.62 (dd, 1H), 7.47 (d, 1H), 7.33         (s, 1H), 7.32 (s, 1H), 6.97 (d, 1H), 3.91 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z)         [M+1]⁺ 430.8 (calculated for C₁₈H₁₂ClF₃NO₄S, 430.00).

Example 3 5-[4-(2-Bromo-4-methanesulfonyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

-   -   A. 4-(2-Bromo-4-methanesulfonyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde         was prepared from vanillin and         2-Bromo-1-fluoro-4-methanesulfonylbenzene following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, CDCl₃) δ 9.98 (s, 1H), 8.22 (d,         1H), 7.77 (dd, 1H), 7.57 (d, 1H), 7.52 (dd, 1H), 7.14 (d, 1H),         6.80 (d, 1H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.08 (s, 3H).     -   B.         5-[4-(2-Bromo-4-methsnesulfonyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione         was prepared using         4-(2-Bromo-4-methanesulfonyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde         following General Procedure C. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, acetone-d6) δ         8.20 (s, 1H), 7.85 (m, 2H), 7.48 (s, 1H), 7.36 (m, 2H), 6.94 (d,         1H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 3.19 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 484.8         (calculated for C₁₈H₁₅BrNO₆S₂, 483.9).

Example 4 5-[4-Chloro-4-methanesulfonly-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

-   -   A. 4-(2-Chloro-4-methanesulfonyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde         was prepared from vanillin and         2-chloro-1-fluoro-4-methanesulfonylbenzene following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, CDCl₃) δ 9.98 (s, 1H), 8.06 (d,         1H), 7.73 (dd, 1H), 7.58 (d, 1H), 7.52 (dd, 1H), 7.17 (d, 1H),         6.85 (d, 1H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.08 (s, 3H).     -   B.         5-[4-(2-Chloro-4-methanesulfonyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione         was prepared using         4-(2-Chloro-4-methanesulfonyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde         following General Procedure C. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, acetone-d6) δ         8.06 (d, 1H), 7.84 (s, 1H), 7.82 (dd, 1H), 7.48 (d, 1H), 7.36         (m, 2H), 6.98 (d, 1H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 3.18 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z)         [M+1]⁺ 440.8 (calculated for C₁₈H₁₅ClNO₆S₂, 440.0).

Example 5 5-[4-(4-Bromo-2-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

-   -   A. 4-(4-Bromo-2-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde         was prepared from vanillin and         4-Bromo-1-fluoro-2-trifluoromethylbenzene following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, CDCl₃) δ 9.95 (s, 1H), 7.81 (d,         1H), 7.547 (dd, 1H), 7.545 (d, 1H), 7.47 (dd, 1H), 7.09 (d, 1H),         6.70 (d, 1H), 3.88 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1+41]⁺ 416.7         (calculated for C₁₅H₁₁BrF₃O₃, 374.98).     -   B.         5-[4-(4-Bromo-2-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione         was prepared using         4-(4-Bromo-2-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde         following General Procedure C. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, CDCl₃) δ 8.50         (bs, NH), 7.84 (s, 1H), 7.80 (d, 1H), 7.52 (dd, 1h), 7.10 (m,         3H), 6.69 (d, 1H), 3.86 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 474.9         (calculated for C₁₈H₁₃BrF₃NO₄S, 474.95).

Example 6 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide

-   -   A. 4-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide         was prepared from vanillin and         4-Fluoro-3-trifluoromethylbenzamide following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, CDCl₃) δ 9.98 (s, 1H), 8.08 (m,         2H), 7.53 (m, 2H), 7.27 (m, 1H), 6.79 (d, 1H), 3.85 (s, 3H);         LC/MS (m/z) [M+1+41]⁺ 380.9 (calculated for C₁₆H₁₃F₃NO₄,         340.07).     -   B.         4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide         was prepared using         4-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide         following General Procedure C. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, CD₃OD) δ 8.25 (d,         1H), 8.00 (dd, 1H), 7.84 (s, 1H), 7.34 (m, 1H), 7.26 (m, 2H),         6.79 (d, 1H), 3.82 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 439.0 (calculated         for C₁₉H₁₄F₃N₂O₅S, 439.05).

Example 7 2-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-5-trifluoromethyl-benzamide

-   -   A. 2-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-trifluoromethyl-benzamide         was prepared from vanillin and         2-Fluoro-5-trifluoromethylbenzamide following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.93 (s, 1H), 8.46 (d,         1H), 7.55-7.47 (m, 3H), 7.44 (br s, 1H), 7.22 (d, 1H), 6.74 (d,         1H), 5.82 (br s, NH), 3.81 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+41+1]⁺ 381.0         (calculated for C₁₆H₁₂F₃NO₄, 339.07).     -   B.         2-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-5-trifluoromethyl-benzamide         was prepared using         2-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-trifluoromethyl-benzamide         following General Procedure C. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.48         (d, 1H), 8.36 (br s, NH), 7.78 (s, 1H), 7.54 (dd, 1H), 7.46 (br         s, NH), 7.18-7.08 (m, 3H), 6.74 (d, 1H), 5.97 (br s, NH), 3.81         (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+41+1]⁺ 479.9 (calculated for         C₁₉H₁₃F₃N₂O₅S, 438.05).

Example 8 2-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-5-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

-   -   A. 2-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         was prepared from vanillin and         2-Fluoro-5-trifluoromethylbenzonitrile following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 10.0 (s, 1H), 7.94 (d,         1H), 7.67 (dd, 1H), 7.58-7.54 (m, 2H), 7.32 (d, 1H), 6.76 (d,         1H), 3.85 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ molec ion not found         (calculated for C₁₆H₁₀F₃NO₃, 321.06).     -   B.         2-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-5-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         was prepared using         2-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         following General Procedure C. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.11         (br s, 1H), 7.94 (d, 1H), 7.85 (s, 1H), 7.67 (dd, 1H), 7.29 (s,         1H), 7.19 (dd, 1H), 7.14 (d, 1H), 6.78 (d, 1H), 3.83 (s, 3H);         LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ molec ion not found (calculated for         C₁₉H₁₁F₃N₂O₄S, 420.04).

Example 9 2-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-5-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid methyl ester

-   -   A. 2-Fluoro-5-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid methyl ester. To a         solution of 2-fluoro-5-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid (500 mg,         2.404 mmol) in MeOH (2.5 mL) was added sulfuric acid (0.2 mL).         The mixture was irradiated in a microwave at 150° C. for 2         minutes and the reaction was allowed to cool to room         temperature. The reaction was partitioned between ethyl ether (5         mL) and water (5 mL). Then, the organic layer was washed with         saturated sodium bicarbonate (5 mL) and brine (5 mL). The         combined organic layers were dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and         concentrated to provide the title compound as a white liquid. ¹H         NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.25 (dd, 1H), 7.82-7.78 (m, 1H), 7.28         (t, 1H), 3.97 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ molec ion not found         (calculated for C₉H₆F₄O₂, 222.03).     -   B. 2-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid         methyl ester was prepared from vanillin and         2-Fluoro-5-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid methyl ester following         General Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.94 (s, 1H),         8.24 (d, 1H), 7.69 (dd, 1H), 7.55 (d, 1H), 7.44 (dd, 1H),         7.01-6.95 (m, 2H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 3.86 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z)         [M+1]⁺ 354.9 (calculated for C₁₇H₁₃F₃O₅, 354.07).     -   C.         2-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-5-trifluoromethyl-benzoic         acid methyl ester was prepared using         2-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid         methyl ester following General Procedure B. ¹H NMR (300 MHz,         CDCl₃) δ 8.24 (d, 1H), 7.81 (s, 1H), 7.67 (dd, 1H), 7.12-7.09         (m, 2H), 7.01 (dd, 1H), 6.92 (d, 1H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 3.89 (s,         3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 453.9 (calculated for C₂₀H₁₄F₃NO₆S,         453.05).

Example 10 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid methyl ester

-   -   A. 4-Fluoro-3-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid methyl ester was         prepared from 4-Fluoro-3-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid using the         procedure as in Example 9A. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.33 (dd,         1H), 8.26-8.23 (m, 1H), 7.28 (t, 1H), 3.95 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z)         [M+1]⁺ molec ion not found (calculated for C₉H₆F₄O₂, 222.03).     -   B. 4-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid         methyl ester was prepared from vanillin and         4-Fluoro-3-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid methyl ester following         General Procedure A. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.98 (s, 1H),         8.38 (d, 1H), 8.09 (dd, 1H), 7.57-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.22 (d, 1H),         6.75 (d, 1H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 3.85 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺         molec ion not found (calculated for C₁₇H₁₃F₃O₅, 354.07).     -   C.         4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzoic         acid methyl ester was prepared using         4-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid         methyl ester following General Procedure B. ¹H NMR (300 MHz,         CDCl₃) δ 8.37 (d, 1H), 8.17 (br s, NH), 8.08 (dd, 1H), 7.84 (s,         1H), 7.21-7.13 (m, 3H), 6.75 (d, 1H), 3.93 (s, 3H), 3.83 (s,         3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ molec ion not found (calculated for         C₂₀H₁₄F₃NO₆S, 453.05).

Example 11 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methyl-phenoxy]-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile

-   -   A. 4-(4-Formyl-2-methyl-phenoxy)-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile was         prepared from 4-Hydroxy-3-methylbenzaldehyde and         4-Fluoro-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.99 (s, 1H), 8.38 (d,         J=8.22 Hz, 1H), 8.27 (d, J=8.61 Hz, 1H), 7.90 (d, J=1.17 Hz,         1H), 7.77 (m, 3H), 7.69 (m, 1H), 7.07 (d, J=8.22 Hz, 1H), 6.71         (d, J=8.22 Hz, 1H), 2.36 (s, 3H).     -   B.         4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methyl-phenoxy]-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile         was prepared using         4-(4-Formyl-2-methyl-phenoxy)-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile         following General Procedure D. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 12.64         (br, 1H), 8.42 (d, J=8.22 Hz, 1H), 8.14 (d, J=8.21 Hz, 1H), 8.07         (d, J=7.82 Hz, 1H), 7.90 (ddd, J=8.22, 6.66 and 1.18 Hz, 1H),         7.79 (m, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=2.35 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (dd, J=8.21 and 2.34         Hz, 1H), 7.24 (d, J=8.61 Hz, 1H), 6.77 (d, J=8.21 Hz, 1H), 2.24         (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 387.3 (calculated for C₂₂H₁₅N₂O₃S         387.1).

Example 12 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-fluoro-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

-   -   A. 4-(2-Fluoro-4-formyl-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         was prepared from 3-Fluoro-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and         4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethylbenzonitrile following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.99 (d, J=1.56 Hz, 1H),         8.01 (d, J=2.34 Hz, 1H), 7.77 (m, 3H), 7.35 (t, J=7.83 Hz, 1H),         6.92 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H).     -   B.         4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-fluoro-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         was prepared using         4-(2-Fluoro-4-formyl-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         following General Procedure D. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 7.38         (d, J=1.96 Hz, 1H), 7.13 (dd, J=8.6 and 1.96 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (s,         1H), 6.76 (dd, J=11.34 and 1.95 Hz, 1H), 6.71 (dd, J=8.22 and         2.35 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (t, J=8.22 Hz, 1H), 6.29 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H);         LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 409.2 (calculated for C₁₈H₉F₄N₂O₃S 409.0).

Example 13 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-ethoxy-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

-   -   A. 4-(2-Ethoxy-4-formyl-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         was prepared from 3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and         4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethylbenzonitrile following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.97 (s, 1H), 7.97 (d,         J=1.96 Hz, 1H), 7.67 (dd, J=8.61 and 1.96 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (dd,         J=7.82 and 1.95 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (s, 1H), 7.32 (m, 1H), 6.77 (d,         J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 4.04 (q, J=6.65 Hz, 2H), 1.18 (t, J=7.04 Hz, 3H).     -   B.         4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-ethoxy-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         was prepared using         4-(2-Ethoxy-4-formyl-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         following General Procedure D. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.36         (br, 1H), 7.97 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (s, 1H), 7.66 (dd, J=8.61         and 1.95 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (d, J=7.43 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (dd, J=8.22 and         2.35 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (d, J=1.95 Hz, 1H), 6.79 (d, J=8.61 Hz, 1H),         4.01 (q, J=7.04 Hz, 2H), 1.21 (t, J=7.04 Hz, 3H); LC/MS (m/z)         [M+1]⁺ 435.3 (calculated for C₂₀H₁₄F₃N₂O₄S 435.1).

Example 14 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methyl-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

-   -   A. 4-(4-Formyl-2-methyl-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         was prepared from 4-Hydroxy-3-methylbenzaldehyde and         4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethylbenzonitrile following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.99 (s, 1H), 8.02 (d,         J=1.96 Hz, 1H), 7.87 (d, J=0.78 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (dd, J=7.83 and         1.57 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (dd, J=8.61 and 2.35 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (d, J=8.22         Hz, 1H), 6.83 (d, J=8.60 Hz, 1H), 2.30 (s, 3H).     -   B.         4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methyl-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         was prepared using         4-(4-Formyl-2-methyl-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         following General Procedure D. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.19         (br, 1H), 8.01 (d, J=1.96 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (s, 1H), 7.72 (dd,         J=8.61 and 1.96 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (t, J=1.95 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (dd,         J=8.61 and 2.35 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (d, J=8.21 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (d,         J=8.60 Hz, 1H), 2.26 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 405.2         (calculated for C₁₉H₁₂F₃N₂O₃S 405.0).

Example 15 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-ethoxy-phenoxy]-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile

-   -   A. 4-(2-Ethoxy-4-formyl-phenoxy)-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile was         prepared from 3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and         4-Fluoro-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.99 (s, 1H), 8.44 (d,         J=8.61 Hz, 1H), 8.25 (d, J=8.22 Hz, 1H), 7.77 (m, 2H), 7.68 (m,         1H), 7.57 (d, J=1.95 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (dd, J=7.83 and 1.57 Hz, 1H),         7.25 (m, 1H), 6.68 (d, J=7.83 Hz, 1H), 4.09 (q, J=7.05 Hz, 2H),         1.17 (t, J=7.05 Hz, 3H).     -   B.         4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-ethoxy-phenoxy]-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile         was prepared using         4-(2-Ethoxy-4-formyl-phenoxy)-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile         following General Procedure D. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 12.66         (br, 1H), 8.42 (d, J=8.22 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (d, J=8.21 Hz, 1H), 8.02         (d, J=8.22 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (m, 1H), 7.85 (s, 1H), 7.76 (m, 1H),         7.48 (d, J=1.95 Hz, 1H), 7.41 (d, J=8.21 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (dd,         J=8.22 and 1.96 Hz, 1H), 6.70 (d, J=8.22 Hz, 1H), 4.06 (q,         J=6.66 Hz, 2H), 1.03 (t, J=7.04 Hz, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺417.3         (calculated for C₂₃H₁₇N₂O₄S 417.1).

Example 16 4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

-   -   A. 4-(2-Bromo-4-formyl-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         was prepared from 3-Bromo-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and         4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethylbenzonitrile following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.99 (s, 1H), 8.23 (d,         J=1.96 Hz, 1H), 8.04 (d, J=1.96 Hz, 1H), 7.91 (dd, J=8.21 and         1.95 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (dd, J=9.0 and 2.35 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (d, J=8.22         Hz, 1H), 6.82 (d, J=8.61 Hz, 1H).     -   B.         4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         was prepared using         4-(2-Bromo-4-formyl-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         following General Procedure D. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.18         (br, 1H), 8.02 (d, J=1.96 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (d, J=2.35 Hz, 1H), 7.78         (s, 1H), 7.74 (dd, J=8.61 and 1.96 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (dd, J=9.0 and         2.74 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (d, J=8.61 Hz, 1H), 6.80 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H);         LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 469.2 (calculated for C₁₈H₉BrF₃N₂O₃S 468.9).

Example 17 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-fluoro-phenoxy]-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile

-   -   A. 4-(2-Fluoro-4-formyl-phenoxy)-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile was         prepared from 3-Fluoro-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and         4-Fluoro-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.99 (d, J=1.95 Hz, 1H),         8.38 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 8.27 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.77-7.84 (3H),         7.69-7.74 (2H), 7.29 (d, J=7.43 Hz, 1H), 6.83 (d, J=7.83 Hz,         1H).     -   B.         4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-fluoro-phenoxy]-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile         was prepared using         4-(2-Fluoro-4-formyl-phenoxy)-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile         following General Procedure D. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 12.72         (br, 1H), 8.40 (d, J=8.22 Hz, 1H), 8.15 (d, J=8.22 Hz, 1H), 8.09         (d, J=7.83 Hz, 1H), 7.91 (m, 1H), 7.76-7.83 (3H), 7.50-7.56         (2H), 6.96 (d, J=8.22 Hz, 1H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 391.2         (calculated for C₂₁H₁₂FN₂O₃S 391.1).

Example 18 4-[2-Chloro-4-(2,4-dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

-   -   A. 4-(2-Chloro-4-formyl-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         was prepared from 3-Chloro-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and         4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethylbenzonitrile following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.99 (s, 1H), 8.06 (d,         J=1.96 Hz), 8.02 (d, J=1.96 Hz, 1H), 7.87 (dd, J=8.22 and 1.96         Hz, 1H), 7.76 (dd, J=8.61 and 1.96 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (d, J=8.61 Hz,         1H), 6.82 (d, J=8.61 Hz, 1H).     -   B.         4-[2-Chloro-4-(2,4-dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethylbenzonitrile         was prepared using         4-(2-Chloro-4-formyl-phenoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile         following General Procedure D. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.29         (br, 1H), 8.02 (d, J=1.95 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (s, 1H), 7.75 (dd,         J=8.61 and 1.96 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=2.35 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (dd,         J=8.61 and 1.96 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (d, J=8.22 Hz, 1H), 6.80 (d,         J=8.61 Hz, 1H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 425.1 (calculated for         C₁₈H₉ClF₃N₂O₃S 425.0).

Example 19 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]naphthalene-1-carbonitrile

-   -   A. 4-(4-Formyl-2-methoxyphenoxy)naphthalene-1-carbonitrile was         prepared from vanillin and 4-Fluoro-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile         following General Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, CDCl₃) δ 10.00         (s, 1H), 8.43 (dq, 1H), 8.26 (dq, 1H), 7.79 (d, 1H), 7.78 (td,         1H), 7.68 (td, 1H), 7.61 (d, 1H), 7.53 (dd, 1H), 7.22 (d, 1H),         6.68 (d, 1H), 3.84 (s, 3H).     -   B.         4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]naphthalene-1-carbonitrile         was prepared using         4-(4-Formyl-2-methoxyphenoxy)naphthalene-1-carbonitrile         following General Procedure C. ¹H NMR (300 Hz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.62         (br.s, 1H), 8.54 (d, H), 8.20 (d, 1H), 7.96 (d, 1H), 7.89 (td,         1H), 7.79 (td, 1H), 7.66 (s, 1H), 7.47 (dd, 1H), 7.39 (d, 1H),         7.34 (dd, 1H), 6.75 (d, 1H), 3.83 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺:         402.0 (calculated for C₂₂H₁₄N₂O₄S, 402.42).

Example 20 5-[4-(2-Bromo-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3-methoxybenzylidene]thiazolidine-2,4-dione

-   -   A. 4-(2-Bromo-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3-methoxybenzaldehyde         was prepared from vanillin and         2-Bromo-1-fluoro-4-trifluoromethylbenzene following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, CDCl₃) δ 9.95 (s, 1H), 7.91 (d,         1H), 7.56 (d, 1H), 7.49 (dq, 1H), 7.47 (dd, 1H), 7.05 (d, 1H),         6.86 (d, 1H), 3.85 (s, 3H).     -   B.         5-[4-(2-Bromo-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3-methoxybenzylidene]thiazolidine-2,4-dione         was prepared using         4-(2-Bromo-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3-methoxybenzaldehyde         following General Procedure C. ¹H NMR (300 Hz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.62         (br.s, 1H), 8.08 (d, H), 7.72 (s, 1H), 7.64 (dd, 1H), 7.45 (d,         1H), 7.25 (d, 1H), 7.22 (dd, 1H), 6.84 (d, 1H), 3.80 (s, 3H);         LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺: 474.9 (calculated for C₁₈H₁₁BrF₃NO₄S,         474.25).

Example 21 3-Chloro-4-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]benzonitrile

-   -   A. 4-(2-Chloro-4-cyanophenoxy)-3-methoxybenzaldehyde was         prepared from vanillin and 3-Chloro-4-fluorobenzonitrile         following General Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, CDCl₃) δ 9.95 (s,         1H), 7.76 (d, 1H), 7.56 (br s, 1H), 7.50 (d, 1H), 7.45 (br d,         1H), 7.15 (d, 1H), 6.78 (d, 1H), 3.90 (s, 3H).     -   B.         3-Chloro-4-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]-benzonitrile         was prepared using         4-(2-Chloro-4-cyanophenoxy)-3-methoxybenzaldehyde following         General Procedure C. ¹H NMR (300 Hz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.62 (br.s,         1H), 8.17 (d, H), 7.83 (s, 1H), 7.71 (dd, 1H), 7.48 (d, 1H),         7.32 (d, 1H), 7.24 (dd, 1H), 6.83 (d, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H); LC/MS         (m/z) [M+1]⁺: 385.9 (calculated for C₁₈H₁₁ClN₂O₄S, 386.81).

Example 22 3-Bromo-4-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]benzonitrile

-   -   A. 4-(2-Bromo-4-cyanophenoxy)-3-methoxybenzaldehyde was prepared         from vanillin and 3-Bromo-4-fluorobenzonitrile following General         Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, CDCl₃) δ 9.95 (s, 1H), 7.93 (d,         1H), 7.56 (br. S, 1H) 7.54-7.44 (m, 2H), 7.16 (d, 1H), 6.73 (d,         1H), 3.85 (s, 3H).     -   B.         3-Bromo-4-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]-benzonitrile         was prepared using         4-(2-Bromo-4-cyanophenoxy)-3-methoxybenzaldehyde following         General Procedure C. ¹H NMR (300 Hz, DMSO-d₆) δ12.62 (br.s, 1H),         8.28 (d, H), 7.83 (s, 1H), 7.74 (dd, 1H), 7.47 (d, 1H), 7.30 (d,         1H), 7.24 (dd, 1H), 6.79 (d, 1H), 3.80 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z)         [M+1]⁺: 431.8 (calculated for C₁₈H₁₁BrN₂O₄S, 431.26).

Example 23 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-oxazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile

To a mixture of oxazolidine-2,4-dione (50.5 mg, 0.50 mmol), LiCl (128 mg, 3.0 mmol) and anhydrous THF (5.0 mL) cooled to −78° C. was added dropwise 1.7 M tert-butyllithium solution in pentane (0.616 mL, 1.05 mmol). After stirring at −78° C. for 20 minutes, the reaction mixture was warmed to 0° C. for 5 minutes. The mixture was recooled to −78° C. and a solution of 4-(4-formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-naphthalene-1-carbonitrile (Example 19a) was added dropwise. After stirring at −78° C. for 15 minutes, 1 N HCl (1.05 mL, 1.05 mol) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to room temperature. After evaporation of most of the solvent, p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (85 mg, 0.5 mmol) and toluene (25 mL) were added. The mixture was heated to reflux with a Dean-Stark trap for 5 hours. After removal of solvent, the residue was taken up with a mixture of DMF and methanol and purified on a preparative HPLC [Waters XTerra® Prep MS O₈ OBD™ Column (5 μm, 30×50 mm) using a gradient mixture of 0.1% aqueous TFA and acetonitrile]. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.45 (s, 1H), 8.43 (d, 1H), 8.16 (s, 1H), 8.11 (d, 1H), 8.00 (d, 1H), 7.88 (t, 1H), 7.77 (t, 1H), 7.65 (d, 1H), 7.32 (d, 1H), 7.09 (s, 1H), 6.63 (d, 1H), 3.73 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 386.9 (calculated for C₂₂H₁₄N₂O₆, 386.1).

Example 24 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-oxazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester

-   -   A. 4-Fluoro-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester. A         mixture of 4-fluoro-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid (475 mg, 0.25         mmol), methanol (3.5 mL) and concentrated sulfuric acid (1 drop)         was heated at 160° C. for 30 min in a Biotage Initiator         microwave. The mixture was poured onto 2 M sodium carbonate         solution (50 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (30 mL). The         organic layer was washed with 2 M sodium carbonate solution (15         mL), water (20 mL) and brine (20 mL). The organic layer was         dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Evaporation of solvent         provided a brown solid (480 mg). ¹H NMR (400 Hz, CDCl₃) δ 9.01         (d, 1H), 8.22 (dd, 1H), 8.17 (d, 1H), 7.68 (t, 1H), 7.60 (t,         1H), 7.16 (dd, 1H), 3.99 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 204.9         (calculated for C₁₂H₉FO₂, 204.1).     -   B. 4-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid         methyl ester was prepared from vanillin and         4-Fluoro-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester following         General Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, acetone-d₆) δ 10.04 (s,         1H), 9.07 (d, 1H), 8.42 (d, 1H), 8.17 (d, 1H), 7.75-7.65 (m,         4H), 7.38 (d, 1H), 6.77 (d, 1H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 3.90 (s, 3H);         LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 337.0 (calculated for C₂₀H₁₆O₅, 336.1).     -   C.         4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-oxazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-naphthalene-1-carboxylic         acid methyl ester. A mixture of         4-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid         methyl ester (33.6 mg, 0.10 mmol), thiazolidine-2,4-dione (14.3         mg, 0.11 mmol), sodium acetate (24.6 mg, 0.30 mmol), piperidine         (1 drop) and ethanol (2 mL)/acetonitrile (4 mL) was heated at         reflux overnight. The solvent was evaporated to ˜2 mL volume.         After cooling to room temperature, the precipitate was collected         by filtration and washed with acetonitrile and water. ¹H NMR         (400 Hz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.91 (d, 1H), 8.40 (d, 1H), 8.08 (d, 1H),         7.73 (t, 1H), 7.65 (t, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.35 (s, 1H), 7.28 (d,         1H), 7.21 (d, 1H), 6.60 (d, 1H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.73 (s, 3H);         LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 436.3 (calculated for C₂₃H₁₈NO₆S, 436.1).

Example 25 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-oxazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid amide

-   -   A. 4-Fluoro-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid phenyl ester. To a         solution of 4-fluoronaphthoic acid (380 mg, 2.0 mmol) and oxalyl         chloride (0.7 mL, 8.0 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (10 mL)         was added DMF (1 drop). The mixture was stirred until bubbling         stopped. A clear solution was obtained. After evaporation of         solvent, the residue was dissolved in anhydrous dichloromethane.         Solvent was again evaporated. A white solid was obtained. To it         was added anhydrous dichloromethane (10 mL), phenol (200 mg, 2.1         mmol) and triethylamine (0.1 mL). The mixture was stirred at         room temperature over the weekend. The mixture was concentrated         and purified by preparative TLC with hexanes/ethyl acetate         (4:1). A white solid was obtained (420 mg). ¹H NMR (400 Hz,         acetone-d₆) δ 9.08 (d, 1H), 8.59 (t, 1H), 8.24 (d, 1H),         7.83-7.74 (m, 2H), 7.54-7.33 (m, 6H).     -   B. 4-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid         phenyl ester was prepared from vanillin and         4-Fluoro-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid phenyl ester following         General Procedure A. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, CDCl₃) δ 9.96 (s, 1H), 9.18         (d, 1H), 8.44 (d, 1H), 8.43 (d, 1H), 7.71 (t, 1H), 7.64-7.60 (m,         2H), 7.50-7.44 (m, 3H), 7.31-7.26 (m, 3H), 7.16 (d, 1H), 6.80         (d, 1H), 3.90 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 398.8 (calculated for         C₂₆H₁₈O₆, 398.1).     -   C. 4-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid         amide. To a 5-mL microwave tube was added         4-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid         phenyl ester (154 mg) and anhydrous methanol (2 mL). To the         mixture, cooled to −78° C., was bubbled in anhydrous ammonia         (ca. 0.5 mL). The tube was sealed and stirred at room         temperature overnight. After evaporation of ammonia,         dichloromethane was added to form a clear solution. The solution         was loaded onto a preparative TLC plate and developed with         hexanes/ethyl acetate (4:1). A yellowish solid was obtained (120         mg). LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 322.1 (calculated for C₁₉H₁₆NO₄, 322.1).     -   D.         4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-oxazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-naphthalene-1-carboxylic         acid amide. A mixture of         4-(4-Formyl-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid         amide (117 mg, 0.36 mmol), thiazolidine-2,4-dione (47.5 mg, 0.36         mmol), sodium acetate (164 mg, 2.0 mmol) and ethanol (3 mL) was         heated at reflux overnight. To the mixture was added acetic         acid, followed by addition of 3 drops of water, to form a clear         solution. This solution was loaded onto a preparative HPLC         [Waters XTerra® Prep MS O₈ OBD™ Column (5 μm, 30×50 mm)] and         eluted with a gradient mixture of 0.1% aqueous TFA and         acetonitrile. After triturating with methanol and drying, the         pure product was obtained. ¹H NMR (400 Hz, DMSO-d6) δ 12.64 (s,         1H), 8.41 (d, 1H), 8.21 (d, 1H), 7.93 (s, 1H), 7.83 (s, 1H),         7.65-7.57 (m, 2H), 7.55 (d, 1H), 7.50 (s, 1H), 7.48 (s, 1H),         7.21 (d, 1H), 7.16 (d, 1H), 6.68 (d, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H); LC/MS         (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 421.0 (calculated for C₂₂H₁₇N₂O₅S, 421.1).

Examples 26-31 were prepared as described by Example 1 using the appropriate benzaldehyde and aryl fluoride.

Example 26 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

¹H NMR (400 Hz, CDCl₃) δ 8.28 (bs, 1H), 8.05 (d, 1H), 7.89 (d, 1H), 7.82 (m, 2H), 7.70 (dd, 1H), 7.12 (d, 1H), 7.00 (d, 1H); (calculated for C₁₉H₈F₆N₂O₃S, 458.33).

Example 27 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-ethoxy-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide

¹H NMR (400 Hz, DMSO) δ 8.26 (d, 1H), 8.14 (bs, 1H), 8.06 (dd, 1H), 7.84 (s, 1H), 7.48 (bs, 1H), 7.44 (d, 1H), 7.34 (d, 1H), 7.26 (dd, 1H), 6.87 (d, 1H), 4.05 (qt, 2H), 1.10 (t, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 453.0 (calculated for C₂₀H₁₅F₃N₂O₅S, 452.40).

Example 28 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methyl-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide

¹H NMR (400 Hz, DMSO) δ8.30 (d, 1H), 8.18 (bs, 1H), 8.12 (dd, 1H), 7.77 (s, 1H), 7.63 (d, 1H), 7.52 (m, 2H), 7.15 (d, 1H), 6.98 (d, 1H), 2.22 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺423.0 (calculated for C₁₉H₁₃F₃N₂O₄S, 422.38).

Example 29 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-trifluoromethoxy-phenoxy]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

¹H NMR (400 Hz, CDCl₃) δ 8.03 (d, 1H), 7.82 (s, 1H), 7.78 (dd, 1H), 7.56 (s, 1H), 7.51 (dd, 1H), 7.25 (d, 1H), 6.92 (d, 1H); (calculated for C₁₉H₈F₆N₂O₄S, 474.33).

Example 30 5-[4-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-3-methoxy-benzylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

¹H NMR (400 Hz, DMSO) δ 7.85 (d, 2H), 7.66 (dd, 1H), 7.50 (s, 1H), 7.24 (d, 2H), 6.85 (d, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 430.9 (calculated for C₁₈H₁₁ClF₃NO₄S, 429.80).

Example 31 5-[4-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-3-fluoro-benzylidene]thiazolidine-2,4-dione

¹H NMR (400 Hz, DMSO) δ 7.93 (d, 1H), 7.81 (s, 1H), 7.74 (m, 2H), 7.47 (dd, 1H), 7.37 (t, 1H), 7.20 (d, 1H); LC/MS (m/z) [M+1]⁺ 418.9 (calculated for C₁₇H₈ClF₄NO₃S, 417.76).

D) GENERAL ADMINISTRATION, FORMULATION, AND DOSAGES

The present compounds are ERR-α inverse agonists and are therefore useful in treating, slowing, or inhibiting the progression of ERR-α mediated conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis, artherosclerosis, arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, childhood arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis), bone-related diseases (including those related to bone formation), breast cancer (including those unresponsive to anti-estrogen therapy), cardiovascular disorders, cartilage-related disease (such as cartilage injury/loss, cartilage degeneration, and those related to cartilage formation), chondrodysplasia, chondrosarcoma, chronic back injury, chronic bronchitis, chronic inflammatory airway disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, disorders of energy homeostasis, gout, pseudogout, lipid disorders, metabolic syndrome, multiple myeloma, obesity, osteoarthritis, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteolytic bone metastasis, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, Paget's disease, periodontal disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, Reiter's syndrome, repetitive stress injury, hyperglycemia, elevated blood glucose level, and insulin resistance and other disorders, diseases, or conditions related thereto.

The invention features a method for treating a subject with an ERR-α mediated disease, said method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the invention. In particular, the invention also provides a method for treating or inhibiting the progression of breast cancer, arthritis, inflammatory airway disease, or metabolic disorders, and associated symptoms or complications thereof in a subject, wherein the method comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the invention.

The present invention includes within its scope prodrugs of the compounds of this invention. In general, such prodrugs will be functional derivatives of the compounds which are readily convertible in vivo into the required compound. Thus, in the methods of treatment of the present invention, the term “administering” shall encompass the treatment of the various disorders described with the compound specifically disclosed or with a compound which may not be specifically disclosed, but which converts to the specified compound in vivo after administration to the subject. Conventional procedures for the selection and preparation of suitable prodrug derivatives are described, for example, in “Design of Prodrugs”, ed. H. Bundgaard, Elsevier, 1985.

Some of the crystalline forms for the compounds may exist as polymorphs and as such are intended to be included in the present invention. In addition, some of the compounds may form solvates with water (i.e., hydrates) or common organic solvents, and such solvates are intended to be encompassed within the scope of this invention.

Where the processes for the preparation of the compounds according to the invention give rise to mixtures of stereoisomers, these isomers may be separated by conventional techniques such as preparative chromatography. The compounds may be prepared in racemic form or as individual enantiomers or diasteromers by either stereospecific synthesis or by resolution. The compounds may, for example, be resolved into their component enantiomers or diastereomers by standard techniques, such as the formation of stereoisomeric pairs by salt formation with an optically active base, followed by fractional crystallization and regeneration of the free acid. The compounds may also be resolved by formation of stereoisomeric esters or amides, followed by chromatographic separation and removal of the chiral auxiliary. Alternatively, the compounds may be resolved using a chiral HPLC column. It is to be understood that all stereoisomers, racemic mixtures, diastereomers, cis-trans isomers, and enantiomers thereof are encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

E) USE

1. Dosages

Those of skill in the treatment of disorders, diseases, or conditions mediated by ERR-α can determine the effective daily amount from the test results presented hereinafter and other information. The exact dosage and frequency of administration depends on the particular compound of invention used, the particular condition being treated, the severity of the condition being treated, the age, weight and general physical condition of the particular patient as well as other medication the patient may be taking, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is evident that said effective daily amount may be lowered or increased depending on the response of the treated patient and/or depending on the evaluation of the physician prescribing the compounds of the instant invention. The effective daily amount ranges mentioned herein are therefore only guidelines in practicing the present invention.

Preferably, the method for the treatment of the ERR-α disorders described in the present invention using any of the compounds as defined herein, the dosage form will contain a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing between from about 0.1 mg to about 5000 mg; particularly from about 0.5 mg to about 1000 mg; and, more particularly, from about 1 mg to about 100 mg of the compound, and may be constituted into any form suitable for the mode of administration selected. The dosages, however, may be varied depending upon the requirement of the subjects, the severity of the condition being treated and the compound being employed. The use of either daily administration or post-periodic dosing may be employed.

The pharmaceutical compositions herein will contain, per unit dosage unit, e.g., tablet, capsule, powder, injection, suppository, teaspoonful and the like, of from about 0.001 mg/kg/day to about 10 mg/kg/day (particularly from about 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 1 mg/kg/day; and, more particularly, from about 0.1 mg/kg/day to about 0.5 mg/kg/day) and may be given at a dosage of from about 0.001 mg/kg/day to about 30 mg/kg/day (particularly from about 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 2 mg/kg/day, more particularly from about 0.1 mg/kg/day to about 1 mg/kg/day and even more particularly from about 0.5 mg/kg/day to about 1 mg/kg/day).

Preferably these compositions are in unit dosage forms from such as tablets, pills, capsules, dry powders for reconstitution or inhalation, granules, lozenges, sterile parenteral solutions or suspensions, metered aerosol or liquid sprays, drops, ampoules, autoinjector devices or suppositories for administration by oral, intranasal, sublingual, intraocular, transdermal, parenteral, rectal, vaginal, dry powder inhaler or other inhalation or insufflation means. Alternatively, the composition may be presented in a form suitable for once-weekly or once-monthly administration; for example, an insoluble salt of the active compound, such as the decanoate salt, may be adapted to provide a depot preparation for intramuscular injection.

For preparing solid pharmaceutical compositions such as tablets, the principal active ingredient is mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier, e.g. conventional tableting ingredients such as diluents, binders, adhesives, disintegrants, lubricants, antiadherents and gildants. Suitable diluents include, but are not limited to, starch (i.e. corn, wheat, or potato starch, which may be hydrolized), lactose (granulated, spray dried or anhydrous), sucrose, sucrose-based diluents (confectioner's sugar; sucrose plus about 7 to 10 weight percent invert sugar; sucrose plus about 3 weight percent modified dextrins; sucrose plus invert sugar, about 4 weight percent invert sugar, about 0.1 to 0.2 weight percent cornstarch and magnesium stearate), dextrose, inositol, mannitol, sorbitol, microcrystalline cellulose (i.e. AVICEL™ microcrystalline cellulose available from FMC Corp.), dicalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate dihydrate, calcium lactate trihydrate and the like. Suitable binders and adhesives include, but are not limited to acacia gum, guar gum, tragacanth gum, sucrose, gelatin, glucose, starch, and cellulosics (i.e. methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, and the like), water soluble or dispersible binders (i.e. alginic acid and salts thereof, magnesium aluminum silicate, hydroxyethylcellulose [i.e. TYLOSE™ available from Hoechst Celanese], polyethylene glycol, polysaccharide acids, bentonites, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polymethacrylates and pregelatinized starch) and the like. Suitable disintegrants include, but are not limited to, starches (corn, potato, etc.), sodium starch glycolates, pregelatinized starches, clays (magnesium aluminum silicate), celluloses (such as crosslinked sodium carboxymethylcellulose and microcrystalline cellulose), alginates, pregelatinized starches (i.e. corn starch, etc.), gums (i.e. agar, guar, locust bean, karaya, pectin, and tragacanth gum), cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone and the like. Suitable lubricants and antiadherents include, but are not limited to, stearates (magnesium, calcium and sodium), stearic acid, talc waxes, stearowet, boric acid, sodium chloride, DL-leucine, carbowax 4000, carbowax 6000, sodium oleate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate and the like. Suitable gildants include, but are not limited to, talc, cornstarch, silica (i.e. CAB-O-SIL™ silica available from Cabot, SYLOID™ silica available from W.R. Grace/Davison, and AEROSIL™ silica available from Degussa) and the like. Sweeteners and flavorants may be added to chewable solid dosage forms to improve the palatability of the oral dosage form. Additionally, colorants and coatings may be added or applied to the solid dosage form for ease of identification of the drug or for aesthetic purposes. These carriers are formulated with the pharmaceutical active to provide an accurate, appropriate dose of the pharmaceutical active with a therapeutic release profile.

Generally these carriers are mixed with the pharmaceutical active to form a solid preformulation composition containing a homogeneous mixture of the pharmaceutical active form of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Generally the preformulation will be formed by one of three common methods: (a) wet granulation, (b) dry granulation and (c) dry blending. When referring to these preformulation compositions as homogeneous, it is meant that the active ingredient is dispersed evenly throughout the composition so that the composition may be readily subdivided into equally effective dosage forms such as tablets, pills and capsules. This solid preformulation composition is then subdivided into unit dosage forms of the type described above containing from about 0.1 mg to about 500 mg of the active ingredient of the present invention. The tablets or pills containing the novel compositions may also be formulated in multilayer tablets or pills to provide a sustained or provide dual-release products. For example, a dual release tablet or pill can comprise an inner dosage and an outer dosage component, the latter being in the form of an envelope over the former. The two components can be separated by an enteric layer, which serves to resist disintegration in the stomach and permits the inner component to pass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in release. A variety of materials can be used for such enteric layers or coatings, such materials including a number of polymeric materials such as shellac, cellulose acetate (i.e. cellulose acetate phthalate, cellulose acetate trimetllitate), polyvinyl acetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, methacrylate and ethylacrylate copolymers, methacrylate and methyl methacrylate copolymers and the like. Sustained release tablets may also be made by film coating or wet granulation using slightly soluble or insoluble substances in solution (which for a wet granulation acts as the binding agents) or low melting solids a molten form (which in a wet granulation may incorporate the active ingredient). These materials include natural and synthetic polymers waxes, hydrogenated oils, fatty acids and alcohols (i.e. beeswax, carnauba wax, cetyl alcohol, cetylstearyl alcohol, and the like), esters of fatty acids metallic soaps, and other acceptable materials that can be used to granulate, coat, entrap or otherwise limit the solubility of an active ingredient to achieve a prolonged or sustained release product.

The liquid forms in which the novel compositions of the present invention may be incorporated for administration orally or by injection include, but are not limited to aqueous solutions, suitably flavored syrups, aqueous or oil suspensions, and flavored emulsions with edible oils such as cottonseed oil, sesame oil, coconut oil or peanut oil, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceutical vehicles. Suitable suspending agents for aqueous suspensions, include synthetic and natural gums such as, acacia, agar, alginate (i.e. propylene alginate, sodium alginate and the like), guar, karaya, locust bean, pectin, tragacanth, and xanthan gum, cellulosics such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and combinations thereof, synthetic polymers such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carbomer (i.e. carboxypolymethylene), and polyethylene glycol; clays such as bentonite, hectorite, attapulgite or sepiolite; and other pharmaceutically acceptable suspending agents such as lecithin, gelatin or the like. Suitable surfactants include but are not limited to sodium docusate, sodium lauryl sulfate, polysorbate, octoxynol-9, nonoxynol-10, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, polyoxamer 188, polyoxamer 235 and combinations thereof. Suitable deflocculating or dispersing agent include pharmaceutical grade lecithins. Suitable flocculating agent include but are not limited to simple neutral electrolytes (i.e. sodium chloride, potassium, chloride, and the like), highly charged insoluble polymers and polyelectrolyte species, water soluble divalent or trivalent ions (i.e. calcium salts, alums or sulfates, citrates and phosphates (which can be used jointly in formulations as pH buffers and flocculating agents). Suitable preservatives include but are not limited to parabens (i.e. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and n-butyl), sorbic acid, thimerosal, quaternary ammonium salts, benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, chlorhexidine gluconate, phenylethanol and the like. There are many liquid vehicles that may be used in liquid pharmaceutical dosage forms, however, the liquid vehicle that is used in a particular dosage form must be compatible with the suspending agent(s). For example, nonpolar liquid vehicles such as fatty esters and oils liquid vehicles are best used with suspending agents such as low HLB (Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance) surfactants, stearalkonium hectorite, water insoluble resins, water insoluble film forming polymers and the like. Conversely, polar liquids such as water, alcohols, polyols and glycols are best used with suspending agents such as higher HLB surfactants, clays silicates, gums, water soluble cellulosics, water soluble polymers and the like. For parenteral administration, sterile suspensions and solutions are desired. Liquid forms useful for parenteral administration include sterile solutions, emulsions and suspensions. Isotonic preparations which generally contain suitable preservatives are employed when intravenous administration is desired.

Furthermore, compounds of the present invention can be administered in an intranasal dosage form via topical use of suitable intranasal vehicles or via transdermal skin patches, the composition of which are well known to those of ordinary skill in that art. To be administered in the form of a transdermal delivery system, the administration of a therapeutic dose will, of course, be continuous rather than intermittent throughout the dosage regimen.

Compounds of the present invention can also be administered in the form of liposome delivery systems, such as small unilamellar vesicles, large unilamellar vesicles, multilamellar vesicles and the like. Liposomes can be formed from a variety of phospholipids, such as cholesterol, stearylamine, phosphatidylcholines and the like.

The daily dose of a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be varied over a wide range from about 0.1 mg to about 5000 mg; preferably, the dose will be in the range of from about 1 mg to about 100 mg per day for an average human. For oral administration, the compositions are preferably provided in the form of tablets containing, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 25.0, 50.0, 100, 150, 200, 250 or 500 milligrams of the active ingredient for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage to the subject to be treated. Advantageously, a compound of the present invention may be administered in a single daily dose or the total daily dosage may be administered in divided doses of two, three or four times daily.

It is also apparent to one skilled in the art that the therapeutically effective dose for active compounds of the invention or a pharmaceutical composition thereof will vary according to the desired effect. Therefore, optimal dosages to be administered may be readily determined by those skilled in the art, and will vary with the particular compound used, the mode of administration, the strength of the preparation, and the advancement of the disease condition. In addition, factors associated with the particular subject being treated, including subject age, weight, diet and time of administration, will result in the need to adjust the dose to an appropriate therapeutic level. The above dosages are thus exemplary of the average case. There can, of course, be individual instances where higher or lower dosage ranges are merited, and such are within the scope of this invention.

Compounds of this invention may be administered in any of the foregoing compositions and dosage regimens or by means of those compositions and dosage regimens established in the art whenever use of the compounds of the invention as ERR-α inverse agonists is required for a subject in need thereof.

2. Formulations

To prepare the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention, one or more compounds of Formula (I) or salt thereof as the active ingredient, is intimately admixed with a pharmaceutical carrier according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques, which carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending of the form of preparation desired for administration (e.g. oral or parenteral). Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are well known in the art. Descriptions of some of these pharmaceutically acceptable carriers may be found in The Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, published by the American Pharmaceutical Association and the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

The compounds of the present invention may be formulated into various pharmaceutical forms for administration purposes. Methods of formulating pharmaceutical compositions have been described in numerous publications such as Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded, Volumes 1-3, edited by Lieberman et al; Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Parenteral Medications, Volumes 1-2, edited by Avis et al; and Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Disperse Systems, Volumes 1-2, edited by Lieberman et al; published by Marcel Dekker, Inc.

3. Combination Therapy

The compounds of the present invention may be used in combination with one or more pharmaceutically active agents. These agents include ERR-α antagonists, glucokinase modulators, anti-diabetic agents, other lipid lowering agents, direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI), as well as lipid lowering agents such as statin drugs and the fibrates.

ERR-α antagonists include, for example, all the compounds disclosed in US-2006-0014812-A1, particularly those of the formula

wherein:

-   -   n is 0 or 1;     -   Z is —O—, —S—, >NH, or >NR^(a) where R^(a) is alkyl, cycloalkyl,         phenyl, or heterocycloalkyl;     -   X is an aryl or heteroaryl group;     -   R³ is —H or —O-alkyl unsubstituted or substituted with one or         more substituents independently selected from the group         consisting of —OH, halo, —CN, —O-alkyl, and —N(R^(w))R^(x) where         R^(w) and R^(x) are each independently —H or alkyl;     -   R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of —H, halo, —O-alkyl,         —CN, —NO₂, and —COOH; and     -   R⁵ and R⁶ are each independently —CN; —COOH; or a moiety         selected from the group consisting of —COO-alkyl, —(C═O)alkyl,         —(S═(O)_(m))-aryl where m is 0, 1, or 2, cycloalkyl,         heterocycloalkyl, —(C═O)phenyl, heteroaryl, and         —(C═O)heterocycloalkyl; or R⁵ and R⁶ taken together with the         carbon to which they are attached form an optionally benzofused         heterocycloalkyl or cycloalkyl moiety;     -   wherein each such moiety is unsubstituted or substituted with         one or more substituents independently selected from the group         consisting of: —OH; ═O; ═S; alkyl optionally substituted with         —OH, —O-alkyl, phenyl, —NH₂, —NH(alkyl), —N(alkyl)₂, halo, —CF₃,         —COON, or —COO-alkyl; —O-alkyl; phenyl; —O-phenyl; benzyl;         —O-benzyl; cycloalkyl; —O-cycloalkyl; —CN; —NO₂; —N(R^(y))R^(z)         where R^(y) and R^(z) are each independently —H, alkyl, or         —(C═O)alkyl, or R^(y) and R^(z) taken together with the nitrogen         to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl wherein one         carbon ring atom is optionally replaced with >O, >NH or >N-alkyl         and where one carbon ring atom is optionally substituted with         —OH or ═O; —(C═O)N(R^(y))R^(z); —(N—R^(t))SO₂alkyl where R^(t)         is —H or alkyl; —(C═O)alkyl; —(S═(O)_(n))alkyl where n is 0, 1         or 2; —SO₂N(R^(y))R^(z) where R^(y) and R^(z) are as defined         above; —SCF₃; halo; —CF₃; —OCF₃; —COOK and —COOalkyl;         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically         acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite of         such compound.

Anti-obesity agents can be classified into several categories based upon the mechanism of action. These agents include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin agonists, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, pancreatic lipase inhibitors, β3-adrenoreceptor agonists, NPY antagonists, melanocortin receptor agonists, leptin-targeted agents, CB1 antagonists (e.g. Rimonabant), monoamine reuptake inhibitors (e.g. Sibutramine), and lipase inhibitor s (e.g. Orlistat).

Serotonin agonist agents such as dexfenfluramine and fenfluramine were reported to cause cardiac valvular abnormalities when used at the prescribed dosage in combination with phentermine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are generally used for the treatment of depression. These agents include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine, fluvoxamine and sertraline.

Representative serotonin modulators are listed below:

-   -   (A) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)     -   1. Citalopram         (1-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofurancarbonitrile,         also known as citalopram hydrobromide (USAN), nitalopram,         nitalapram, ZD 211, LU 10171, Lu10-171, LU 10171-B, CIPRAMIL,         SEROPRAM, CIPRAM, ELOPRAM, LUPRAM, SEPRAM, PRISDAL, or CELEXA);     -   2. Fluoxetine (benzenepropanamine,         N-Methyl-gamma-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-, (±) hydrochloride,         also known as LY 110140, RENEURON, SARAFEM, or PROZAC);     -   3. Fluvoxamine         (5-methoxy-1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1-pentanone         (E)-O-(2-aminoethyl)oxime, also known as fluvoxamine maleate         (USAN), DU 23000, MK 264, SME 3110, FEVARIN, FLOXYFRAL, LUVOX,         DUMYROX, DUMIROX, FLAVOXYL, FAVERIN, or DEPROMEL);     -   4. Indeloxazine ((+,−)-2-((indel-7-yloxy)methyl)morpholine, also         known as ideloxazine, YM 08054, CI-874, ELEN, or NOIN);     -   5. Paroxetine hydrochloride         ((3S,4R)-3-((1,3-benzodioxol-5-yloxy)methyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperidine         hydrochloride, or piperidine,         3-((1,3-benzodioxol-5-yloxy)methyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-,         (3S-trans)-, also known as FR 7051, FG-7051, BRL 29060, BRL         29060A, NNC 207051, S1211103, CASBOL, SEROXAT, AROPAX, PAXIL,         TAGONIS, FROSINOR, DEROXAT, SEREUPIN, MOTIVAN, or PAXIL CR);     -   6. Sertraline (1-naphthalenamine,         4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-N-methyl-, (1S-cis)-         or 1-Naphthalenamine,         4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-N-methyl-, (1S-cis),         also known as CP 51974, CP 51974 01, AREMIS, BESITRAN, GLADEM,         LUSTRAL, SERAD, SERLAIN, SERLIFT, TATIG, or ZOLOFT);     -   7. Tianeptine (7-((3-chloro-6,11-dihydro-6-methyldibenzo(c,f)         (1,2)thiazepin-11-yl)amino)heptanoic acid S,S-dioxide, also         known as S 1574, or STABLON);     -   8. Centpropazine         (1-(p-propionylphenoxy)-3-(Nsup(4)-henylpiperazynyl)-propan-2-ol);     -   9. Paroxetine (GEOMATRIX drug delivery system)         (piperidine,3-((1,3-benzodioxol-5-yloxy)methyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)(3S-trans)-,         also known as paroxetine, GEOMATRIX, PAXIL CR);     -   10. Escitalopram         ((1S)-1-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran         carbonitrile, or         5-Isobenzofurancarbonitrile,1-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro         (S)-, also known as escitalopram, xalate (USAN), citalopram,         (S)(+)-citalopram, LU 26042, LU 26054, Lu26-054, or CIPRALEX);     -   11. Litoxetine (4-[(2-Naphthalenyl)methoxy]piperidine, also         known as SL 810385);     -   12. (S)-Fluoxetine         ((S)—N-methyl-gamma-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)benzenepropanamine);     -   13. Cericlamine         ((+,−)-3,4-dichloro-beta-(dimethylamino)-beta-methylbenzenepropanol,         also known as JO 1017(+,−), JO 1239(−), or JO 1240(+));     -   14. Dapoxetine         ((+)-(S)—N,N-dimethyl-alpha-(2-(1-naphthyl-oxy)ethyl)benzylamine         HCl, also known as LY-210448 or LY-243917);     -   15. 6-Nitroquipazine derivatives;     -   16. Series of substituted 6-nitroquipazines (Pharmaprojects No.         3391);     -   17. AAL 13 (2-(4-(3-chloropropyl)-1-piperazinyl)quinoline);     -   18. Depression therapy (by Vita Invest, Spain);     -   19. DUP 631 (C₁₃H₂₃NO₂S);     -   20. FI 4503 (by Ferrer, Spain);     -   21. Series of indolylcyclohexylamines (Pharmaprojects No. 6443,         American Home Products);     -   22. LY 280253         (N-Methyl-N-[3-[4-(methylthio)phenoxy)-3-phenylpropyl]amine);     -   23. LY 285974 (by Lilly);     -   24. Omiloxetine         (Ethanone,2-((3R,4S)-3-((1,3-benzodioxol-5-yloxy)methyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-piperidinyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)         rel-, also known as FI-4500, FI-4501, FI-4503); and     -   25. WF 31         (8-Methyl-2beta-propanoyl-3beta-(4-(1-methylethyl)-phenyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]);     -   (B) Serotonin agonists and partial agonists     -   1. Dexfenfluramine; and     -   2. Fenfluramine;     -   (C) Serotonin reuptake inhibitor with serotonin agonist activity     -   1. EMD-68843 (2-benzofurancarboxamide,         5-(4-(4-(5-cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)butyl)-1-piperazinyl)-, also         known as SB-659746-A);     -   2. OPC-14523 (2(1H)-quinolinone,         1-(3-(4-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl)propyl)-3,4-dihydro-5-methoxy);     -   3. Vilazodone         (5-{4-[4-(5-Cyano-3-indolyl)-butyl]-1-piperazinyl}-benzofuran-2-carboxamide,         also known as EMD 68843 or SB 659746A);     -   4. Series of condensed thiazoles (3-(benzo (b)         thiophen-3-yl)-5,6-dihydroimidazo         (2,1-b)thiazolemonohydrobromide dihydrate, Pharmaprojects No.         5274, Abbott); and     -   5. VN-2222 (VN-8522, by Vita Invest, Spain).

Preferred examples of serotonin modulators include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine, Indeloxazine, Paroxetine hydrochloride, Sertraline, Tianeptine, Centpropazine, Paroxetine, Escitalopram, and Litoxetine.

The following are also anti-obesity agents useful in the combination therapies of the present invention:

-   -   (A) Amylin and amylin analogs     -   1. Pramlintide         (l-Lysyl-l-cysteinyl-l-asparaginyl-l-threonyl-l-alanyl-l-threonyl-l-cysteinyl-l-alanyl-l-threonyl-l-glutaminyl-l-arginyl-l-leucyl-l-alanyl-l-asparaginyl-l-phenylalanyl-l-leucyl-l-valyl-l-histidyl-l-seryl-l-seryl-l-asparaginyl-l-asparaginyl-l-phenylalanylglycyl-l-prolyl-l-isoleucyl-l-leucyl-l-prolyl-l-prolyl-l-threonyl-l-asparaginyl-l-valylglycyl-l-seryl-l-asparaginyl-l-threonyl-l-tyrosinamide         cyclic (2-7)-disulfide, also known as pramlintide acetate, AC         137, ACO 137, AC 0137, SYMLIN, Tripro-amylin, or NORMYLIN);     -   2. Amylin agonists;     -   3. ACO 253 (AC 253, GG 747, GR 1150747A, or ANTAM);     -   (B) Ciliary neurotrophic factors (CNTF)     -   1. AXOKINE;     -   2. PEG-AXOKINE;     -   3. Peptide mimic of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF mimic,         also known as MYELOS);     -   4. Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF by Fidia, Italy);     -   (C) Glucagon-like peptide-1     -   1. AC-2993 (also known as exendin-4, AC-2993 LAR, Medisord         Exendin, AC-2993, Medisorb, or extendin-4, Amylin);     -   2. Exendin 4         (His-Gly-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Leu-Ser-Lys-Gln-Met-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ala-V-al-Arg-Leu-Phe-Ile-Glu-Trp-Leu-Lys-Asn-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ser-Ser-Gly-Ala-Pro-Pro-Pro-Ser-amide,         also known as AC 2993, AC 2993 LAR, Medisord Exendin, or         AC-2993, Medisorb);     -   3. GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-17-36 amide);     -   4. Glucagon-like peptide-1 oral transmucosal formulation;     -   5. Exendin 3         (His-Ser-Asp-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Leu-Ser-Lys-Gln-Met-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ala-V-al-Arg-Leu-Phe-Ile-Glu-Trp-Leu-Lys-Asn-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ser-Ser-Gly-Ala-Pro-Pro-Pro-Ser-amide);     -   (D) Leptin & leptin mimetics     -   1. Leptin (2nd-generation);     -   2. Leptin agonists;     -   3. Leptin expression modulators;     -   4. Leptin signalling pathway modulators;     -   5. Leptin modulator;     -   6. Leptin (by IC Innovations, UK);     -   7. Leptin receptor, Monoclonal antibodies;     -   8. Recombinant native leptin;     -   9. LY-355101;     -   10. Leptin, Amylin     -   (E) Melanocortin receptor agonist (MC4)     -   1. HP-228 (Glycinamide,         N-acetyl-L-norleucyl-L-glutaminyl-L-histidyl-D-phenylalanyl-L-arginyl-D-tryptophyl-);     -   2. Melanocortin-4 receptor agonist (by Palatin, USA);     -   3. Melanocortin δ agonist (by Pharmacopeia, Roche);     -   4. MC-4 agonists (by Millennium, Chiron)     -   5. Melanocortin-4 agonist (by Melacure Therapeutics, Sweden);     -   6. Melanocortin receptor modulators (Pharmaprojects No. 5224,         Neurocrine Biosciences, US);     -   7. Pharmaprojects No. 5967, Trega/Novartis;     -   (F) NPY antagonists     -   1. AXC 0216;     -   2. AXC 1829;     -   3. SA-0204 (Neuropeptide Y antagonist, Apoptosis stimulator,         Lipid metabolism modulator);     -   4. Alpha-trinositol (D-myo-Inositol, 1,2,6-tris(dihydrogen         phosphate), also known as PP-56);     -   5. H 40922 (H 409/22);     -   6. BMS-192548 (1,11(4H,5H)-naphthacenedione,         2-acetyl-4a,12a-dihydro-3,4-a,10,12,12a-pentahydroxy-8-methoxy-,         TAN 1612 isomer);     -   7. Alanex         (1,4-bis{(4-amino-6-methoxyphenylamino-1,2-dihydro-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4-phenoxymethyl}benzene,         Neuropeptide Y derivatives);     -   8. PD-160170         (6-(2-isopropyl-benzenesulfonyl)-5-nitro-quinolin-8-ylamine);     -   9. 2,4-Diaminopyridine derivatives         (6-(5-ethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthiomethyl)-4-morpholino-2-(3-(2-propenyloxycarbonylamino)         benzylamino)pyridine, Pharmaprojects No. 5618, Banyu/Merck);     -   10. Arpromidine analogs;     -   11. Neuropeptide Y antagonist (Pharmaprojects No. 4990, Pfizer);     -   12. 4 Methyl substituted benzimidazoles (NPY-1 antagonist, NPY-2         antagonist);     -   13. LY-366337 (Neuropeptide Y1 antagonist);     -   14. S-2501, S-25579, S-25584, S-25585, S-19528, S-34354 (all         Neuropeptide Y1/5 antagonists);     -   15. Neuropeptide Y antagonist (subtypes 1 and 5) and Galanin         receptor antagonist (Pharmaprojects No. 4897, Bristol-Myers         Squibb);     -   16. Benzylamine derivatives         (1-arylpiperazinyl-1-alkyloxyphenyl-4-alkylcycloalkanes);     -   17. J-104870 (Neuropeptide Y1 antagonist, Appetite suppressant);     -   18. LY-357897 (Neuropeptide Y1 antagonist);     -   19. Neuropeptide Y1 antagonist (Pfizer/Neurogen);     -   20. SR-120107A (Neuropeptide Y1 antagonist);     -   21. BIBO-3304         ((R)—N-((4-(aminocarbonylaminomethyl)-phenyl)methyl)-N2-(diphenylacetyl)-argininamide         trifluoroacetate);     -   22. BIBP 3226         ((R)—N-(4-((aminoiminomethyl)amino)-1-((((4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl)amino)carbonyl)butyl)-alpha-phenylbenzeneacetamide,         or benzeneacetamide,         N-((1R)-4-((aminoiminomethyl)amino)-1-((((4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl)amino)         carbonyl)butyl)-alpha-phenyl-);     -   23. SR 120819A (benzenepropanamide,         N-(1-((4-((((4-((dimethylamino)         methyl)cyclohexyl)methyl)amino)iminomethyl)phenyl)methyl)-2-oxo-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl)-alpha-((2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)amino)-,         (alphaR-(N(R*(cis)),alphaR*))-);     -   24. NGD-95-1 (CP-422935, NGD 951);     -   25. Compounds with benzazepine nuclei (Neuropeptide Y1         antagonist);     -   26. Neuropeptide Y1 antagonist (by Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical);     -   27. GI-264879A (Neuropeptide Y1 antagonist);     -   28. GW-1229 ([2′,4],[2,4′]homodimer of         Ile-Glu-Pro-Dpr-Tyr-Arg-Leu-Arg-Tyr-CONH2, where Dpr is         diaminopropionic acid, also known as 1229U91, MN-24, GR-231118);     -   29. BIIE-0246 (Cyclopentaneacetamide,         N-[(1S)-4-[(aminoiminomethyl)amino]-1-[[[2-(3,5-dioxo-1,2-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazolidin-4-yl)ethyl]amino]carbonyl]butyl]-1-[2-[4-(6,11-dihydro-6-oxo-5H-dibenz[b,e]azepin-1′-yl)-1-piperazinyl]-2-oxoethyl]-);     -   30. Neuropeptide Y2 antagonist (by Neurogen, USA);     -   31. Amide derivatives (Neuropeptide Y5 antagonist);     -   32. Neuropeptide γ agonist and antagonist—subtypes 1 and 5         (Schering-Plough)     -   33.         N-(sulfonamido)alkyl-[3a,4,5,9b-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[e]indol-2-yl]amine         (RWJPRI);     -   34. Neuropeptide Y5 antagonist (by Novartis);     -   35. Neuropeptide Y5 antagonist (by Pfizer/Neurogen);     -   36. Pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine based neuropeptide Y5 antagonists;     -   37. CGP-71683 (Pharmaprojects No. 5651, CGP-71683A);     -   38. Neuropeptide Y5 agonist/antagonist (Pharmaprojects No. 5664,         Bayer);     -   (G) Histamine H3 receptor antagonists     -   1. GT-2331         (3-((1R,2R)-2-(5,5-dimethyl-1-hexynyl)cyclopropyl)-1H-imidazole,         also known as PERCEPTIN);     -   2. Ciproxifan         (Cyclopropyl-(4-(3-1H-imidazol-4-yl)propyloxy)phenyl)methanone,         also known as BP 2359 or Compound 359);     -   3. Compound 421 (imidazoylpropanol derivative, INSERM         (France)/Bioprojet);     -   4. FUB 181 (3-(4-chlorophenyl)propyl-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propyl         ether);     -   5. GR 175737         (3-((4-chlorophenyl)methyl)-5-(2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl)-1,2-oxadiazole);     -   6. GT 2227 (4-(6-cyclohexyl-3(Z)-hexenyl)imidazole maleate);     -   7. GT 2394         ((1R,2R)-(trans-2-Imidazol-4-ylcyclopropyl)-(cyclohexylmethoxy)         carboxamide);     -   8. GT-2016 (piperidine,         1-(5-cyclohexyl-1-oxopentyl)-4-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-);     -   9. Imoproxifan         (1-(4-(3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propoxy)phenyl)ethan-1-one oxime);     -   10. Impentamine (by Berlin Free University);     -   11. Abbott Laboratories H3 antagonist for Attention deficit         Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD);     -   12. Gliatech (USA) H3 antagonist for eating disorder;     -   13. Series of novel carbamates as derivatives of         3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanol with an N-alkyl chain;     -   14. Series of analogs with a neutral linker leading to         4-(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)benzene;     -   15. Urea,         N-4-(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)phenylmethyl-N′-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-,         monohydrochloride;     -   16. Sch-50971 (1H-imidazole,         4-[(3R,4R)-4-methyl-3-pyrrolidinyl]-);     -   17. Thioperamide         (N-cyclohexyl-4-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-piperidinecarbothioamide,         also known as MR 12842);     -   18. UCL-1283 (by University College London);     -   19. UCL-1390 (4-(3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propoxy)benzonitrile);     -   20. UCL-1409 ((phenoxyalkyl)imidazoles);     -   21. UCL-1972 (by University College London);     -   22. Verongamine (benzenepropanamide,         3-bromo-.alpha.-(hydroxyimino)-N-[2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-4-methoxy-,         (E)-);     -   23. VUF-9153 (Carbamimidothioic acid, [(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-,         3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propyl ester, also known as Clobenpropit);     -   (H) Pancreatic lipase inhibitors     -   1. Orlistat (L-Leucine, N-formyl-,         1-((3-hexyl-4-oxo-2-oxetanyl)methyl) dodecyl ester,         (2S-(2alpha(R*),3beta))-, or N-formyl-L-leucine         (2S-(2alpha(R*),3beta))-1-((3-hexyl-4-oxo-2-oxetanyl)methyl)         dodecyl ester, also known as Orlipastat, RO 180647,         Tetrahydrolipstatin (THL), XENICAL, or ZENICAL);     -   2. ATL 962 (also known as AZM 119 or Alizyme);     -   3. GelTex (Anti-obesity therapeutics);     -   4. AZM-131 (by Yakurigaku Chuo Kenkyusho/Institute of Food         Research);     -   5. RED 103004 (XiMed Group (United Kingdom)/BioClin);

(I) Alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone analogues

-   -   1. Melanotan II         (acetyl-norleucyl-aspartyl-histidyl-D-phenylalanyl-arginyl-tryptophyl-lysinamide         C-4,2-N-6,7-lactam, also known as MT II);     -   2. MBU-23, MBU-23, MBU-24, MBU-27, MBU-28 and MBU-29 (all         described in WO 009827113);     -   3. MSH fusion toxin (also known as DAB389MSH, antimelanoma,         chimaera)     -   4. SHU-9119 (L-Lysinamide,         N-acetyl-L-norleucyl-L-.alpha.-aspartyl-L-histidyl-3-(2-naphthalenyl)-D-alanyl-L-arginyl-L-tryptophyl-,         (2.fwdarw.7)-lactam, also known as MBX 36)     -   5. SHU-9005 (a substituted derivative of alpha-MSH)     -   6. ZYC-200 (alpha-MSH, Schepens/ZYCOS with BIOTOPE expression         cassette system)     -   (J) Mixed serotonin reuptake inhibitor with serotonin or alpha         adrenergic antagonist activity     -   1. Nefazodone         (2-(3-(4-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl)propyl)-5-ethyl-2,4-dihydro-4-(2-phenoxyethyl)-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one,         also known as MJ 13754, MS 13754, BMY 13754, BMY 137541,         SERZONE, DUTONIN, RESERIL, NEFADAR, NIFEREL, MENFAZONA, RULIVAN,         DEPREFAX, or SERZONIL);     -   2. YM 992         ((S)-2-(((7-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)oxy)methyl)morpholine         hydrochloride, or         (S)-2-(((7-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)oxy)methyl)morpholine         hydrochloride, also known as YM 35992);     -   3. A 80426         ((R)—N-methyl-N-((1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-5-methoxy-1-naphthalenyl)methyl)-6-benzofuranethanamine);     -   4. 5-HT1A antagonist (by Vita-Invest, Spain);     -   5. Nefazodone metabolite (by Sepracor, USA);     -   6. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors/serotonin 1A antagonists         (Wyeth-Ayerst)     -   (K) Appetite-suppressants acting through adrenergic mechanisms     -   1. benzphetamine;     -   2. phenmetrazine;     -   3. phentermine;     -   4. diethylpropion;     -   5. mazindol;     -   6. sibutramine;     -   7. phenylpropanolamine;     -   8. ephedrine     -   (L) Mixed serotonin & dopamine reuptake inhibitors     -   1. BL-1834 (1-propanamine,         3-dibenz(b,e)oxepin-11(6H)-ylidene-N,N-dimethyl);     -   2. NS-2389 or NS-2347 (GW-650250A, GW 650250);     -   3. (R)-Sibutramine;     -   4. NS-2359 (by NeuroSearch, Denmark);     -   5. RTI-112 or RTI-113 or RTI-177         (8-Azabicyclo(3.2.1)octane-2-carboxylic acid,         3-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-8-methyl-, methyl ester,         hydrochloride, (1R,2S,3S,5S));     -   6. BSF-74681(Abbott);     -   7. Hyperforin trimethoxybenzoate (IDN-5491);     -   (M) Mixed serotonin reuptake inhibitors and dopamine antagonist     -   1. SLV-310 (Solvay, Belgium);     -   2. EMD 86006         (3-(2-(3-(4-fluorophenyl)benzylamino)ethoxy)benzonitrile);     -   3. SLV 301 (by Solvay);     -   (N) Norepinephrine & serotonin reuptake inhibitors (NSRI)     -   1. Milnacipran (Cyclopropanecarboxamide,         2-(aminomethyl)-N,N-diethyl-1-phenyl-, cis-(+/−)-, or         (±)-cis-2-(Aminomethyl)-N-diethyl-1-phenyl cyclopropane         carboxamide hydrochloride, also known as F-2207, F-2641, TN-912,         DALCIPRAN, IXEL, MIDACIPRAN, MIDALCIPRAN, MILNACIPRAN SR,         TOLEDOMIN);     -   2. Tramadol, Purdue (cyclohexanol,         2-((dimethylamino)methyl)-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-, cis-(+/−), also         known as TRAMADOL, Tramadol, CR, or Toray);     -   3. Milnacipran (drug delivery system, sustained release);     -   4. Duloxetine         ((S)—N-methyl-gamma-(1-naphthalenyloxy)-2-thiophenepropanamine,         or         (+)-(S)—N-Methyl-gamma-(1-naphthyloxy)-2-thiophene-propylamine         hydrochloride, also known as LY 248686, duloxetine oxalate,         LY-223332, LY-223743, LY-223994, LY-227750, LY-227942,         LY-228993, LY-248686, LY-264452, LY-264453, LY-267826“ ”     -   5. Naltrexone+tramadol         (morphinan-6-one,17-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4,5-epoxy-3,14-dihydroxy(5alpha)-,         mixt withcyclohexanol,         2-((dimethylamino)methyl)-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-, cis-(+/−)-, also         known as PTI-601, tramadol+naltrexone, Pain T)     -   6. (S) sibutramine         ((S)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-N,N-dimethyl-alpha-(2-methylpropyl)cyclobutanemethanamine);     -   7. Tramadol, Labopharm (cyclohexanol,         2-((dimethylamino)methyl)-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-, cis-(+/−), also         known as tramadol, Contramid);     -   8. F 98214TA (by FAES, Spain);     -   9. S 33005         ((−)-1-(1-Dimethylaminomethyl-5-methoxybenzocyclobutan-1-yl)cyclopentanol);     -   10. Tacrine analogues, SIDR;     -   (O) Serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors     -   1. Sibutramine         (cyclobutanemethanamine,1-(4-chlorophenyl)-N,N-dimethyl-alpha-(2-methylpropyl)-,         or         1-(4-chlorophenyl)-N,N-dimethyl-alpha-(2-methylpropyl)cyclobutanemetha         namine hydrochloride monohydrate, also known as Sibutramine         hydrochloride monohydrate, BTS-54354, BTS-54505, BTS-54524,         KES-524, MERIDIA, REDUCTIL, RADUCTIL, REDUCTASE, PLENTY,         ECTIVA);     -   2. Venlafaxine (cyclohexanol,         1-[2-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl], also known as WY         45030, WY 45651, WY 45655, DOBUPAL, EFECTIN, EFEXOR, EFFEXOR,         ELAFAX, VANDRAL, TREVILOR);     -   3. Venlafaxine XR (cyclohexanol,         1-(2-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl)-, hydrochloride,         also known as EFFEXOR XR,I EFFEXOR ER, EFFEXOR XL, EFFEXOR LP,         DOBUPAL RETARD, VANDRAL RETARD, EFFEXOR-EXEL 75, EFEXOR XR,         EFEXOR DEPOT, ELAFAX XR);     -   4. Venlafaxine (drug delivery system, OROS oral controlled         release, also known as venlafaxine, OROS, or EFEXOR XR)     -   5. (+)-Desmethylsibutramine (also known as DDMS,         Didesmethylsibutramine-Sepracor);     -   6. BTS-74398         (1-[1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-2-(3-dimethylaminopropylthio)ethanone,         Abbott Pharmaprojects No. 6247);     -   7. Desmethylvenlafaxine (by Sepracor);     -   (P) Appetite-suppressant agents acting through dopamine         mechanisms     -   1. Apomorphine;     -   (Q) Selective norepinephrine (noradrenaline) reuptake inhibitors     -   1. Reboxetine ((2S)-rel-2-((R)-(2-ethoxyphenoxy)phenylmethyl)         morpholine, or morpholine, 2-[(2-ethoxyphenoxy)phenylmethyl]-,         (R,S)-, methanesulfonate, also known as reboxetine mesylate         (USAN), FCE 20124, FCE 21684, PNU 155950E, EDRONAX, PROLIFT,         VESTRA, IRENON, NOREBOX);     -   2. Tomoxetine         ((gamma.R)—N-methyl-gamma-(2-methylphenoxy)benzenepropanamine,         or (−)-N-Methyl-3-phenyl-3-(o-tolyloxy)-propylamine         hydrochloride, also known as LY 139603, LY 135252, LY 139602);     -   3. Hydroxynortriptyline ((E)-10-11-dihydro-5-(3-(methylamino)         propylidene)-5H-dibenzo-(a,d)cyclohepten-10-ol);     -   4. LY 368975         ((R)—N-Methyl-3-[2-(methylsulfanyl)phenoxy]-3-phenyl-propylamine         hydrochloroide);     -   (R) Combined norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors     -   1. Bupropion         (1-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-((1,1-dimethylethyl)amino)-1-propanone,         also known as bupropion hydrochloride (USAN), bupropin,         amfebutamone, BW 323U, WELLBUTRIN, QUOMEM, or ZYBAN);     -   2. GW 320659         ((2S-(2alpha,3alpha,5alpha))-2-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-3,5-dimethyl-2-morpholinol         hydrochloride, also known as 1555, 1555U88, BW 1555U88);     -   3. Hydroxy bupropion (also known as bupropion, R—, or         R-bupropion);     -   4. (−) Didesmethylsibutramine (also known as         (S)-didesmethylsibutramine, desmethylsibutramine, (−)-DDMS or         MERIDIA (urogenital));     -   (S) Mixed norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and other         neurotransmitter antagonists     -   1. Zotepine         (2-((8-chlorodibenzo(b,f)thiepin-10-yl)oxy)-N,N-dimethylethylamine,         also known as LODOPIN, NIPOLEPT, ZOLEPTIL, ZOPITE, SETOUS,         MAJORPIN);     -   2. MC1-225         (4-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(piperazin-1-yl)-3a,7a-dihydrothieno         (2,3-d) pyrimidine, or         4-(2-Fluorophenyl)-6-methyl-2-piperazinothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine         hydrochloride hydrate);     -   3. A 75200 ((R*,R*)-(+,−)-3-phenyl-1-((6,7,8,9-tetrahydronaphtho         (1,2-d)-1,3-dioxol-6-yl)methyl)pyrrolidine);     -   (T) Combined serotonin reuptake inhibitors and sigma receptor         antagonists     -   1. E-5296 (by Esteve, Spain);     -   2. E-6276 (by Esteve, Spain);     -   3. E-5842 (pyridine,         4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-1-(4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butyl)-,         2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylate (1:1));     -   4. E 5826 (citrate salt of E-5842);     -   (U) Other neurotransmitter modulators with serotonin or         norepinephrine uptake inhibitor activity     -   1. Pirlindole (1H-pyrazino (3,2,1-jk) carbazole,         2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-8-methyl-, also known as CAS-125,         Pyrazidol, pirazidol, LIFRIL, IMPLEMENTOR);     -   2. NS-2330 (by NeuroSearch, Denmark);     -   3. VAN-H36 (by Vita-Invest, Spain);     -   4. UR 1827         (2-(1-Benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-1-[4-(5-methylpyrimidin-4-ylamino)phenyl]-1-ethanone);     -   (V) C-75 (Fatty acid synthase inhibitor)     -   (W) S 15261 (L-4-(2-(2-(9-Fluorenyl)acetamido) ethyl)benzoic         acid 2-(2-methoxy-2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethylamino)ethyl         ester)     -   (X) S100B (Neurotrophic factor)     -   (Y) Stimulators of uncoupling protein function     -   (Z) Cholecystokinin agonists     -   (AA) Androgens         -   1. dehydroepiandrosterone;         -   2. dehydroepiandrosterone derivatives (such as             etiocholandione);     -   (BB) Testosterone     -   (CC) Anabolic steroids (eg, oxandrolone)     -   (DD) Steroidal hormones     -   (EE) Amylase inhibitors     -   (FF) Enterostatin agonists/mimetics     -   (GG) Orexin/hypocretin antagonists     -   (HH) Urocortin antagonists     -   (II) Bombesin agonists     -   (JJ) Modulators of protein kinase A     -   (KK) Corticotropin-releasing factor mimetics     -   (LL) Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript mimetics     -   (MM) Calcitonin-gene related peptide mimetics     -   (NN) Nizatidine (Axid)

Other agents useful for the combination therapy of the present invention include glucokinase modulators include:

Anti-diabetic agents include RXR modulators such as:

-   -   (1) bexarotene         (4-(1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)ethenyl)benzoic         acid, known as TARGRETIN, TARGRETYN, TARGREXIN; also known as         LGD 1069, LG 100069, LG 1069, LDG 1069, LG 69, RO 264455);     -   (2) 9-cis-retinoic acid;     -   (3) AGN-4326 (also known as ALRT-4204, AGN-4204, ALRT-326,         ALRT-324, or LGD 1324);     -   (4) LGD 1324 (ALRT 324);     -   (5) LG 100754;     -   (6) LY-510929;     -   (7) LGD 1268         (6-(1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphth-7-ylcycloprop-1-yl)nicotinic         acid, known as ALRT 268 or LG 100268); and     -   (8) LG 100264.

Anti-diabetic agents also include thiazolidinedione and non-thiazolidinedione insulin sensitizers, which decrease peripheral insulin resistance by enhancing the effects of insulin at target organs and tissues.

The following agents are known to bind and activate the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) which increases transcription of specific insulin-responsive genes. Examples of PPAR-gamma agonists are thiazolidinediones such as:

-   -   (1) rosiglitazone         (2,4-thiazolidinedione,5-((4-(2-(methyl-2-pyridinylamino)         ethoxy)phenyl)methyl)-, (Z)-2-butenedioate (1:1) or         5-((4-(2-(methyl-2-pyridinylamino)ethoxy)phenyl)methyl)-2,4-thiazolidinedione,         known as AVANDIA; also known as BRL 49653, BRL 49653C, BRL         49653c, SB 210232, or rosiglitazone maleate);     -   (2) pioglitazone (2,4-thiazolidinedione,         5-((4-(2-(5-ethyl-2-pyridinyl)ethoxy)phenyl)methyl)-,         monohydrochloride, (+−)- or         5-((4-(2-(5-ethyl-2-pyridyl)ethoxy)phenyl)methy)-2,4-thiazolidinedione,         known as ACTOS, ZACTOS, or GLUSTIN; also known as AD 4833, U         72107, U 72107A, U 72107E, pioglitazone hydrochloride (USAN));     -   (3) troglitazone         (5-((4-((3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-yl)methoxy)phenyl)methyl)-2,4-thiazolidinedione,         known as NOSCAL, REZULIN, ROMOZIN, or PRELAY; also known as         CI-991, CS 045, GR 92132, GR 92132×);     -   (4) isaglitazone         ((+)-5-[[6-[(2-fluorophenyl)methoxy]-2-naphthalenyl]methyl]-2,4-thiazolidinedione         or         5-((6-((2-fluorophenyl)methoxy)-2-naphthalenyl)methyl-2,4-thiazolidinedione         or 5-(6-(2-fluorobenzyloxy)         naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)thiazolidine-2,4-dione, also known as         MCC-555 or neoglitazone); and     -   (5) 5-BTZD.

Additionally, the non-thiazolidinediones that act as insulin sensitizing agents include, but are not limited to:

-   -   (1) JT-501 (JTT 501, PNU-1827, PNU-7,6-MET-0096, or PNU 182716:         isoxazolidine-3,5-dione,         4-((4-(2-phenyl-5-methyl)-1,3-oxazolyl)ethylphenyl-4)methyl-);     -   (2) KRP-297         (5-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylmethyl)-2-methoxy-N-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)benzamide         or         5-((2,4-dioxo-5-thiazolidinyl)methyl)-2-methoxy-N-((4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)methyl)benzamide);         and     -   (3) Farglitazar (L-tyrosine,         N-(2-benzoylphenyl)-o-(2-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-4-oxazolyl)ethyl)-         or         N-(2-benzoylphenyl)-O-(2-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-4-oxazolyl)ethyl)-L-tyrosine,         or GW2570 or GI-262570).

Other anti-diabetic agents have also been shown to have PPAR modulator activity such as PPAR gamma, SPPAR gamma, and/or PPAR delta/gamma agonist activity. Examples are listed below:

-   -   (1) AD 5075;     -   (2) R 119702         ((+−)-5-(4-(5-Methoxy-1H-benzimidazol-2-ylmethoxy)benzyl)thiazolin-2,4-dione         hydrochloride, or CI 1037 or CS 011);     -   (3) CLX-0940 (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha         agonist/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma         agonist);     -   (4) LR-90 (2,5,5-tris(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dioxane-2-carboxylic         acid, PPARdelta/γ agonist);     -   (5) Tularik (PPARγ agonist);     -   (6) CLX-0921 (PPARγ agonist);     -   (7) CGP-52608 (PPAR agonist);     -   (8) GW-409890 (PPAR agonist);     -   (9) GW-7845 (PPAR agonist);     -   (10) L-764406 (PPAR agonist);     -   (11) LG-101280 (PPAR agonist);     -   (12) LM-4156 (PPAR agonist);     -   (13) Risarestat (CT-112);     -   (14) YM 440 (PPAR agonist);     -   (15) AR-H049020 (PPAR agonist);     -   (16) GW 0072         (4-(4-((2S,5S)-5-(2-(bis(phenylmethyl)amino)-2-oxoethyl)-2-heptyl-4-oxo-3-thiazo         lidinyl)butyl)benzoic acid);     -   (17) GW 409544 (GW-544 or GW-409544);     -   (18) NN 2344 (DRF 2593);     -   (19) NN 622 (DRF 2725);     -   (20) AR-H039242 (AZ-242);     -   (21) GW 9820 (fibrate);     -   (22) GW 1929 (N-(2-benzoylphenyl)-O-(2-(methyl-2-pyridinylamino)         ethyl)-L-tyrosine, known as GW 2331, PPAR alpha/γ agonist);     -   (23) SB 219994         ((S)-4-(2-(2-benzoxazolylmethylamino)ethoxy)-alpha-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)benzen         epropanoic acid or         3-(4-1-(2-(N-(2-benzoxazolyl)-N-methylamino)ethoxy)phenyl)-2(S)-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)         propionic acid or benzenepropanoic         acid,4-(2-(2-benzoxazolylmethylamino)ethoxy)-alpha-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-,         (alphaS)-, PPARalpha/γ agonist);     -   (24) L-796449 (PPAR alpha/γ agonist);     -   (25) Fenofibrate (Propanoic acid,         2-[4-(4-chlorobenzoyl)phenoxy]-2-methyl-, 1-methylethyl ester,         known as TRICOR, LIPCOR, LIPANTIL, LIPIDIL MICRO PPAR alpha         agonist);     -   (26) GW-9578 (PPAR alpha agonist);     -   (27) GW-2433 (PPAR alpha/γ agonist);     -   (28) GW-0207 (PPARγ agonist);     -   (29) LG-100641 (PPARγ agonist);     -   (30) LY-300512 (PPARγ agonist);     -   (31) NID525-209 (NID-525);     -   (32) VDO-52 (VDO-52);     -   (33) LG 100754 (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor         agonist);     -   (34) LY-510929 (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor         agonist);     -   (35) bexarotene         (4-(1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)ethenyl)benzoic         acid, known as TARGRETIN, TARGRETYN, TARGREXIN; also known as         LGD 1069, LG 100069, LG 1069, LDG 1069, LG 69, RO 264455); and     -   (36) GW-1536 (PPAR alpha/γ agonist).

Other insulin sensitizing agents include, but are not limited to:

-   -   (1) INS-1 (D-chiro inositol or         D-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydroxycyclohexane);     -   (2) protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 B (PTP-1B) inhibitors;     -   (3) glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) inhibitors;     -   (4) beta 3 adrenoceptor agonists such as ZD 2079         ((R)—N-(2-(4-(carboxymethyl)phenoxy)ethyl)-N-(2-hydroxy-2-phenethyl)ammonium         chloride, also known as ICI D 2079) or AZ 40140;     -   (5) glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors;     -   (6) fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase inhibitors;     -   (7) chromic picolinate, vanadyl sulfate (vanadium oxysulfate);     -   (8) KP 102 (organo-vanadium compound);     -   (9) chromic polynicotinate;     -   (10) potassium channel agonist NN 414;     -   (11) YM 268 (5,5′-methylene-bis(1,4-phenylene)bismethylenebis         (thiazolidine-2,4-dione);     -   (12) TS 971;     -   (13) T 174         ((+−)-5-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylmethyl)-2-(2-naphthylmethyl)benzoxazole);     -   (14) SDZ PGU 693         ((+)-trans-2(S-((4-chlorophenoxy)methyl)-7alpha-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)tetrahydropyrrolo         (2,1-b) oxazol-5(6H)-one);     -   (15) S 15261         ((−)-4-(2-((9H-fluoren-9-ylacetyl)amino)ethyl)benzoic acid         2-((2-methoxy-2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethyl)amino)ethyl         ester);     -   (16) AZM 134 (Alizyme);     -   (17) ARIAD;     -   (18) R 102380;     -   (19) PNU 140975 (1-(hydrazinoiminomethyl)hydrazino) acetic acid;     -   (20) PNU 106817 (2-(hydrazinoiminomethyl)hydrazino) acetic acid;     -   (21) NC 2100         (5-((7-(phenylmethoxy)-3-quinolinyl)methyl)-2,4-thiazolidinedione;     -   (22) MXC 3255;     -   (23) MBX 102;     -   (24) ALT 4037;     -   (25) AM 454;     -   (26) JTP 20993         (2-(4-(2-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-4-oxazolyl)ethoxy)benzyl)-malonic         acid dimethyl diester);     -   (27) Dexlipotam (5(R)-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)pentanoic acid, also         known as (R)-alpha lipoic acid or (R)-thioctic acid);     -   (28) BM 170744 (2,2-Dichloro-12-(p-chlorophenyl)dodecanoic         acid);     -   (29) BM 152054         (5-(4-(2-(5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)oxazol-4-yl)ethoxy)benzothien-7-ylmethyl)thiazolidine-2,4-dione);     -   (30) BM 131258         (5-(4-(2-(5-methyl-2-phenyloxazol-4-yl)ethoxy)benzothien-7-ylmethyl)thiazolidine-2,4-dione);     -   (31) CRE 16336 (EML 16336);     -   (32) HQL 975         (3-(4-(2-(5-methyl-2-phenyloxazol-4-yl)ethoxy)phenyl)-2(S)-(propylamino)propionic         acid);     -   (33) DRF 2189         (5-((4-(2-(1-Indolyl)ethoxy)phenyl)methyl)thiazolidine-2,4-dione);     -   (34) DRF 554158;     -   (35) DRF-NPCC;     -   (36) CLX 0100, CLX 0101, CLX 0900, or CLX 0901;     -   (37) IkappaB Kinase (IKK B) Inhibitors     -   (38) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors     -   p38 MAPK Stimulators     -   (39) phosphatidyl-inositide triphosphate     -   (40) insulin recycling receptor inhibitors     -   (41) glucose transporter 4 modulators     -   (42) TNF-α antagonists     -   (43) plasma cell differentiation antigen-1 (PC-1) Antagonists     -   (44) adipocyte lipid-binding protein (ALBP/aP2) inhibitors     -   (45) phosphoglycans     -   (46) Galparan;     -   (47) Receptron;     -   (48) islet cell maturation factor;     -   (49) insulin potentiating factor (IPF or insulin potentiating         factor-1);     -   (50) somatomedin C coupled with binding protein (also known as         IGF-BP3, IGF-BP3, SomatoKine);     -   (51) Diab II (known as V-411) or Glucanin, produced by Biotech         Holdings Ltd. or Volque Pharmaceutical;     -   (52) glucose-6 phosphatase inhibitors;     -   (53) fatty acid glucose transport protein;     -   (54) glucocorticoid receptor antagonists; and     -   (55) glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT)         modulators.

Anti-diabetic agents can further include biguanides, which decreases liver glucose production and increases the uptake of glucose. Examples of biguanides include metformin such as:

-   -   (1) 1,1-dimethylbiguanide (e.g., Metformin—DepoMed,         Metformin—Biovail Corporation, or METFORMIN GR (metformin         gastric retention polymer)); and     -   (2) metformin hydrochloride (N,N-dimethylimidodicarbonimidic         diamide monohydrochloride, also known as LA 6023, BMS 207150,         GLUCOPHAGE, or GLUCOPHAGE XR.

Additionally, anti-diabetic agents include alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, which inhibit alpha-glucosidase. Alpha-glucosidase converts fructose to glucose, thereby delaying the digestion of carbohydrates. The undigested carbohydrates are subsequently broken down in the gut, reducing the post-prandial glucose peak. Examples of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors include, but are not limited to

-   -   (1) acarbose (D-glucose,         O-4,6-dideoxy-4-(((1S-(1alpha,4alpha,5beta,6alpha))-4,5,6-trihydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)amino)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-4)-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-4)-,         also known as AG-5421, Bay-g-542, BAY-g-542, GLUCOBAY, PRECOSE,         GLUCOR, PRANDASE, GLUMIDA, or ASCAROSE);     -   (2) Miglitol (3,4,5-piperidinetriol,         1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-,         (2R(2alpha,3beta,4alpha,5beta))- or         (2R,3R,4R,5S)-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl-3,4,5-piperidinetriol,         also known as BAY 1099, BAY M 1099, BAY-m-1099, BAYGLITOL,         DIASTABOL, GLYSET, MIGLIBAY, MITOLBAY, PLUMAROL);     -   (3) CKD-711         (0-4-deoxy-4-((2,3-epoxy-3-hydroxymethyl-4,5,6-trihydroxycyclohexane-1-yl)amino)-alpha-b-glucopyranosyl-(1-4)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-4)-D-glucopyranose);     -   (4) emiglitate         (4-(2-((2R,3R,4R,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-piperidinyl)ethoxy)benzoic         acid ethyl ester, also known as BAY o 1248 or MKC 542);     -   (5) MOR14 (3,4,5-piperidinetriol, 2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-methyl-,         (2R-(2alpha,3beta,4alpha,5beta))-, also known as         N-methyldeoxynojirimycin or N-methylmoranoline); and     -   (6) Voglibose         (3,4-dideoxy-4-((2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl)amino)-2-C-(hydroxymethyl)-D-epi-inositol         or         D-epi-Inositol,3,4-dideoxy-4-((2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl)amino)-2-C-(hydroxymethyl)-,         also known as A 71100, AO 128, BASEN, GLUSTAT, VOGLISTAT.

Anti-diabetic agents also include insulins such as regular or short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulins, non-injectable or inhaled insulin, tissue selective insulin, glucophosphokinin (D-chiroinositol), insulin analogues such as insulin molecules with minor differences in the natural amino acid sequence and small molecule mimics of insulin (insulin mimetics), and endosome modulators. Examples include, but are not limited to:

-   -   (1) Biota;     -   (2) LP 100;     -   (3) (SP-5-21)-oxobis(1-pyrrolidinecarbodithioato-S,S′)vanadium,     -   (4) insulin aspart (human insulin (28B-L-aspartic acid) or         B28-Asp-insulin, also known as insulin X14, INA-X14, NOVORAPID,         NOVOMIX, or NOVOLOG);     -   (5) insulin detemir (Human         29B-(N6-(1-oxotetradecyl)-L-lysine)-(1A-21A), (1B-29B)-Insulin         or NN 304);     -   (6) insulin lispro (“28B-L-lysine-29B-L-proline human insulin,         or Lys(B28), Pro(B29) human insulin analog, also known as         lys-pro insulin, LY 275585, HUMALOG, HUMALOG MIX 75/25, or         HUMALOG MIX 50/50);     -   (7) insulin glargine (human (A21-glycine, B31-arginine,         B32-arginine) insulin HOE 901, also known as LANTUS, OPTISULIN);     -   (8) Insulin Zinc Suspension, extended (Ultralente), also known         as HUMULIN U or ULTRALENTE;     -   (9) Insulin Zinc suspension (Lente), a 70% crystalline and 30%         amorphous insulin suspension, also known as LENTE ILETIN II,         HUMULIN L, or NOVOLIN L;     -   (10) HUMULIN 50/50 (50% isophane insulin and 50% insulin         injection);     -   (11) HUMULIN 70/30 (70% isophane insulin NPH and 30% insulin         injection), also known as NOVOLIN 70/30, NOVOLIN 70/30 PenFill,         NOVOLIN 70/30 Prefilled;     -   (12) insulin isophane suspension such as NPH ILETIN II, NOVOLIN         N, NOVOLIN N PenFill, NOVOLIN N Prefilled, HUMULIN N;     -   (13) regular insulin injection such as ILETIN II Regular,         NOVOLIN R, VELOSULIN BR, NOVOLIN R PenFill, NOVOLIN R Prefilled,         HUMULIN R, or Regular U-500 (Concentrated);     -   (14) ARIAD;     -   (15) LY 197535;     -   (16) L-783281; and     -   (17) TE-17411.

Anti-diabetic agents can also include insulin secretion modulators such as:

-   -   (1) glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and its mimetics;     -   (2) glucose-insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and its mimetics;     -   (3) exendin and its mimetics;     -   (4) dipeptyl protease (DPP or DPPIV) inhibitors such as         -   (4a) DPP-728 or LAF 237             (2-pyrrolidinecarbonitrile,1-(((2-((5-cyano-2-pyridinyl)amino)ethyl)amino)acetyl),             known as NVP-DPP-728, DPP-728A, LAF-237);         -   (4b) Sitagliptin, also known as Januvia;         -   (4c) P 3298 or P32/98             (di-(3N-((2S,3S)-2-amino-3-methyl-pentanoyl)-1,3-thiazolidine)             fumarate);         -   (4d) TSL 225             (tryptophyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic             acid);         -   (4e) Valine pyrrolidide (valpyr);         -   (4f) 1-aminoalkylisoquinolinone-4-carboxylates and analogues             thereof;         -   (4g) SDZ 272-070 (1-(L-Valyl)pyrrolidine);         -   (4h) TMC-2A, TMC-2B, or TMC-2C;         -   (4i) Dipeptide nitriles (2-cyanopyrrolodides);         -   (4j) CD26 inhibitors; and         -   (4k) SDZ 274-444;     -   (5) glucagon antagonists such as AY-279955; and     -   (6) amylin agonists which include, but are not limited to,         pramlintide (AC-137, Symlin, tripro-amylin or pramlintide         acetate).

Well-known anti-diabetic agents include insulin, sulfonylureas, biguanides, meglitinides, AGI's (Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors; e.g., Glyset), PPAR alpha agonists, and PPAR gamma agonists, and dual PPAR alpha/gamma agonists.

Examples of lipid lowering agents include bile acid sequestrants, fibric acid derivatives, nicotinic acid, and HMGCoA reductase inhibitors. Specific examples include statins such as LIPITOR®, ZOCOR®, PRAVACHOL®, LESCOL®, and MEVACOR®, and pitavastatin (nisvastatin) (Nissan, Kowa Kogyo, Sankyo, Novartis) and extended release forms thereof, such as ADX-159 (extended release lovastatin), as well as Colestid, Locholest, Questran, Atromid, Lopid, and Tricor.

Examples of blood pressure lowering agents include anti-hypertensive agents, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (Accupril, Altace, Captopril, Lotensin, Mavik, Monopril, Prinivil, Univasc, Vasotec, and Zestril), adrenergic blockers (such as Cardura, Dibenzyline, Hylorel, Hytrin, Minipress, and Minizide) alpha/beta adrenergic blockers (such as Coreg, Normodyne, and Trandate), calcium channel blockers (such as Adalat, Calan, Cardene, Cardizem, Covera-HS, Dilacor, DynaCirc, Isoptin, Nimotop, Norvace, Plendil, Procardia, Procardia XL, Sula, Tiazac, Vascor, and Verelan), diuretics, angiotensin II receptor antagonists (such as Atacand, Avapro, Cozaar, and Diovan), beta adrenergic blockers (such as Betapace, Blocadren, Brevibloc, Cartrol, Inderal, Kerlone, Lavatol, Lopressor, Sectral, Tenormin, Toprol-XL, and Zebeta), vasodilators (such as Deponit, Dilatrate, SR, Imdur, Ismo, Isordil, Isordil Titradose, Monoket, Nitro-Bid, Nitro-Dur, Nitrolingual Spray, Nitrostat, and Sorbitrate), and combinations thereof (such as Lexxel, Lotrel, Tarka, Teczem, Lotensin HCT, Prinzide, Uniretic, Vaseretic, Zestoretic).

In addition, a second ERR-α modulator, as described above in Sections B) and E), may also be utilized as a third antidiabetic agent, provided that it is different from the first ERR-α modulator.

F) BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLE TR-FRET Assay

Time-Resolved Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (TR-FRET) experiments were performed to examine the functional response of ERR1 (also known as ERR-α or ERR-1) ligands. The TR-FRET assay described herein relied on the conformation of ERR1 for binding to a co-activator peptide: when a test compound binds to ERR1 and alters its conformation, it can disrupt the binding of the co-activator peptide. The components of this homogeneous secondary assay included: the ⁶His-tagged-ERR1LBD, a GST-labeled-hSRC2 co-activator polypeptide and a fluorescent donor/acceptor pair from CIS bio international htrf/bioassays (Bedford, Mass.) using both an α-GST Europium Cryptate (Eu) label and an α⁶His-XL665 (allophycocyanin) fluorophore.

For TR-FRET measurements, the reaction was buffered in 25 mM Tris pH 8, 2.5 mM Hepes, 20 mM KCl, 1 mM DTT, and 0.05 mg/mL BSA (-lipids). The final concentrations of reagents were 6 nM of ERR1LBD, 6 nM GST-SRC-2 peptide, 30 nM Eu cryptate, and 7.5 nM XL665. Reactions were allowed to reach equilibrium at 25° C. for 4-18 hours before collecting data on the Analyst from LJL Biosystems (Molecular Devices Sunnyvale, Calif.). As a time-resolved method, the samples were excited at 340 nM and emission was collected for 1 ms at both 615 and 665 nm with delays of 400 and 75 μs, respectively. Dose response curves were fitted using a hyperbolic equation and the data reported is the average of 3 independent experiments.

Compounds listed in Tables II below were tested in the above assay, and they are all active modulators of ERR1.

TABLE II TR-FRET data COMPOUND # TR-FRET EC50 (μM) 1 0.054 2 0.13 3 1.03 4 0.55 5 0.57 6 0.51 8 0.55 9 0.48 10 0.012 11 0.48 12 0.15 13 0.18 14 0.20 15 0.037 16 0.60 17 0.10 18 0.52 19 0.12 20 0.38 21 0.43 22 0.48 23 0.48 24 0.001 25 0.015 26 1 27 0.33 28 0.44 29 0.18 30 0.008 31 0.033

In Vivo Studies

AKR/J Mouse Obesity Model

AKR/J mice are a polygenic model of diet-induced obesity characterized by hypertriglyceridemia and hyperinsulinemia. AKR/J mice were received at seven weeks of age and allowed to acclimate for one week and then placed on high fat diet (45% of the calories from fat) for five weeks. Animals were treated for five days with 3 mpk (mg/kg) and 30 mpk Compound 1 (Example 1) given orally twice a day. Food intake was measured at day four. On day five, prior to necropsies, body weight was recorded and body composition was measured by Q-NMR (Quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). Animals were anesthetized with carbon dioxide and blood was collected by cardiac puncture. Plasma was obtained by centrifugation and used to determine circulating insulin levels and clinical chemistries, including liver functions tests, using commercially available kits as per manufacturers instructions. Several tissues were harvested, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80° C. for further use.

Results of this study using Compound 1 are shown in FIG. 1 and Tables III and IV (significance used in all in vivo studies: * indicates p<0.05; ** indicates p<0.01; *** indicates p<0.001).

As shown in FIG. 1, Compound 1 (Example 1) reduces body weight and reduces food intake. Similarly, Table III demonstrates a reduction in total body fat as well as percent body fat versus vehicle control.

TABLE III Effect of Compound 1 (Example 1) on body composition. Vehicle 3 mpk 30 mpk Total body fat (g) 3.96 ± 0.35 3.87 ± 0.29 2.7 ± 0.2** Lean Mass (g) 20.5 ± 0.4  20.2 ± 0.3  20.0 ± 0.2   % body fat 13.5 ± 1.2  12.7 ± 0.8  9.3 ± 0.6**

Table IV demonstrates a reduction of circulating insulin levels and lowering of triglyceride levels versus vehicle control.

TABLE IV Effect of Compound 1 (Example 1) on metabolic parameters Vehicle 3 mpk 30 mpk Insulin ng/mL 8.5 ± 0.9 9.6 ± 1.5   2.8 ± 0.8*** Triglyceride 159.1 ± 19.5  160.0 ± 18.9   80.0 ± 9.8** (mg/dL) Glucose (mg/dL) 163.9 ± 6.8  165.0 ± 5.0  185.0 ± 10.01 FFA (Free Fatty 0.53 ± 0.04 0.59 ± 0.07 0.41 ± 0.05 Acids): NEFA (Non Esterified Fatty Acids), mM 3-hydroxy-butyrate 8.9 ± 0.8 8.3 ± 0.9 12.6 ± 1.8  (×10−5) C57/1316 Diet Induced Obesity Mouse Model

C57/B16 mice placed on a high fat diet are characterized by hypertriglyceridemia, impaired glucose tolerance and develop hepatic steatosis. Forty C57/BL6 male mice were received at seven weeks of age, allowed to acclimate for one week, placed on high fat diet (Test Diet 58Y1 60% of the calories from fat) for 6 weeks, and then single housed on the same diet for an additional five weeks. Body mass composition and insulin were used to randomize the animals into three groups. Mice were dosed once a day with vehicle, 10 mpk and 30 mpk of Example 1 for eighteen days. The vehicle used in this study consisted of 15% vitamin E-TEPG (Tocopherol Polyethylene Glycol), 30% PEG400 and 55% water. Ten additional animals were maintained on a low fat diet (4% calories from fat) and during the course of the study were given vehicle orally once a day. Blood was collected from the tail to evaluate glucose, triglyceride, FFA and insulin levels. Body weight and body composition were also recorded. Upon necropsy animals were bled through the orbital sinus under CO₂:O₂ anesthesia, sacrificed, and several tissues were collected and frozen in liquid nitrogen for storage at −80° C. for further use. Serum plasma samples were prepared by centrifugation in EDTA containing tubes, transferred to 96 well plates and stored at −80° C. Insulin, FFA and triglyceride levels were obtained via Day 10 tail bleed. On day fourteen an OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) was done to determine glucose disposal rates in C57B16 mice treated with compound.

Results of this study using Compound 1 are shown in FIG. 2 and Tables V-VII. As shown in FIG. 2 and Table VI, Compound 1 (Example 1) reduces fasting plasma glucose following an oral glucose tolerance test. Similarly, Tables V and VII demonstrate a reduction in metabolic parameters such as triglycerides, free fatty acids and insulin levels versus vehicle control on a high fat diet.

TABLE V Effect on metabolic parameters after 10-Days treatment of C57BI6 mice with Compound 1 Veh Veh, High Compound 1 chow Fat Diet 10 mpk Compound 1 (low fat (HFD) (HFD) 30 mpk (HFD) diet) Triglyceride, mg/dL 72 58**  59*   67 FFA, mEq/L 0.64  0.38*  0.40* 0.49 Insulin, μg/L 2.5  1.4*  1.3* 1.3*

TABLE VI Effect of Compound 1 on AUC (Area Under the Curve) of glucose in the C57/BL6 DIO OGTT after 14 days of treatment AUC 0-60 min AUC 0-120 min Treatment (mg/dL/1 hr) (mg/dL/2 hr) Vehicle 17043 29863 Compound 1 10 mpk 15077 27984 Compound 1 30 mpk  14425* 28540

TABLE VII Effect of Compound 1 on metabolic parameters in DIO C57/BL6 treated for 18 days Vehicle 10 mpk 30 mpk Triglyceride (mg/dL) 174 123  58*** Glucose (mg/dL) 192 176 174 FFA (NEFA, mEq) 0.70 0.49  0.38* 3-hydroxy-butyrate (×10−5) 6.1 6.0  9.1* LDL mg/dL 12 12  7* ZDF Diabetic rat model

The ZDF rat is a monogenic model of Type II Diabetes. It has a mutation on the fa gene truncating the leptin receptor and preventing its interaction with its peptide hormone. This mutation results in a hyperphagic phenotype and the rodent develops obesity, hyperlipidemia, fasting hyperglycemia and Type II Diabetes. The model at 7 weeks of age develops hyperinsulinemia followed by a loss of glucose stimulated insulin secretion due to beta islet failure. Fifty ZDF fa/fa male rats were received at four weeks of age and allowed to acclimate for one week. At five week of age the animals were single housed in cages in a temperature-controlled room with 12-hour light/dark cycle. They were allowed ad libitum access to water and food and throughout the study were maintained on a Purina 5008 diet. Animals were sorted into five groups based first on glucose levels and then at body weight (average fed glucose levels and body weight at 7 weeks of age were 488 mg/dL and 282 grams, respectively). Animals were given Compound 1 orally once a day for 25 days in the morning at 3 mpk, 10 mpk and 30 mpk. A separate group was dosed daily with vehicle. The vehicle used for Compound 1 in this study consisted of 15% VE-TEPG, 30% PEG400 and 55% water. Food intake, body weight, glucose, insulin, triglyceride and free fatty acid levels were monitored throughout the study using blood collected from the tail vein. At day 11 of the study an insulin tolerance test (ITT) was done to evaluate peripheral insulin sensitivity. On day 19 an OGTT was done to assess glucose disposal rates. Body composition analysis, as judged by Q-NMR, was done at day 0 and day 19 of the study. On the day of the necropsy the rats were bled through the orbital sinus under CO2:O2 anesthesia. Animals were sacrificed and several tissues were collected, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80° C. Serum plasma samples were prepared by centrifugation in EDTA containing tubes, transferred into 96 well plates and stored at −80° C. Results of this study using Compound 1 are shown in FIGS. 3-9 and Tables VIII-IX.

As shown in FIG. 3, Compound 1 (Example 1) reduces fed triglyceride and free fatty acid levels versus vehicle control. FIG. 4 demonstrates a reduction in circulating glucose levels upon intraperitoneal delivery of insulin. FIG. 5 displays a reduction in fasting glucose levels after a 16 hour fast. FIG. 6 illustrates the effects of Compound 1 on lowering fasting plasma glucose following an oral glucose tolerance test while FIG. 7 illustrates an increase on insulin release levels following an oral glucose tolerance test. FIG. 8 demonstrates a lowering of fed glucose levels as well as a reduction in Hb1Ac levels and FIG. 9 shows the effect of Compound 1 on increasing fed plasma insulin levels and pancreatic insulin content. Table VIII illustrates the effect of Compound 1 on body weight and food intake and Table IX demonstrates a lowering of triglyceride and plasma ketone levels.

TABLE VIII Effect of Example 1 on body weight, food intake and body composition. Body weight change Total food intake % Fat (0-25 day) (0-25 days) Day 18 Vehicle 46.3 774 55   3 mpk Compound 1 62.7* 727 58** 10 mpk Compound 1 49.3 720 59** 30 mpk Compound 1 65.3*  703**  60***

TABLE IX Effect of Compound 1 on Metabolic Parameters in the 26 day ZDF Rat Efficacy Study Vehicle 3 mpk 10 mpk 30 mpk Triglycerides (mg/dL) 608.56 596.33 402.39** 320.94*** Glucose (mg/dL) 609.92 584.88 549.63 545.64 FFA (NEFA, mM) 0.62 0.65 0.54 0.48 ketone (umol/L) 192.99 183.97 144.61 134.84* cholesterol mg/dL 138.91 145.70 156.08* 169.92** ZDF Diabetic Rat Model at 0.08, 0.4, 2 and 10 mpk

Briefly, sixty-five ZDF fa/fa male rats were received at four weeks of age and allowed to acclimate for one week. At five week of age the animals were single housed in cages in a temperature-controlled room with 12-hour light/dark cycle. They were allowed ad libitum access to water and food and throughout the study were maintained on a Purina 5008 diet. Animals were sorted into five groups based first on glucose levels and then at body weight (average fed glucose levels and body weight at 7 weeks of age were 517 mg/dL and 293 grams, respectively). Animals were given Compound 1 orally once a day for 28 days in the morning at 0.08, 0.4, 2.0 and 10 mpk. The vehicle used for Compound 1 in this study consisted of 15% VE-TEPG, 30% PEG400 and 55% water. Food intake, body weight, glucose, insulin, triglyceride and free fatty acid levels were monitored throughout the study using blood collected from the tail vein. At day 16 of the study an insulin tolerance test (ITT) was done to evaluate peripheral insulin sensitivity. On day 22 an OGTT was done to assess glucose disposal rates. On the day of the necropsy the rats were bled through the orbital sinus under CO2:O2 anesthesia. Animals were sacrificed and several tissues were collected, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80° C. Serum plasma samples were prepared by centrifugation in EDTA containing tubes, transferred into 96 well plates and stored at −80° C. Results of this study using Compound 1 are shown in FIGS. 10-14 and Tables X-XI.

As shown in FIG. 10, Compound 1 (Example 1) demonstrates a reduction in circulating glucose levels upon intraperitoneal delivery of insulin. FIG. 11 displays a reduction in fasting glucose levels after a 4 and 16 hour fast. FIG. 12 illustrates the effects of Compound 1 on reducing fasting plasma glucose following an oral glucose tolerance test. FIG. 13 demonstrates the lowering of fed plasma glucose levels while FIG. 14 illustrates the effect on total pancreatic insulin release levels. Table X illustrates the effect of Compound 1 on body weight and food intake and Table XI demonstrates a lowering of plasma glucose and ketone levels.

TABLE X Effect of Compound 1 on body weight, food intake and body composition. Body weight change Total food intake (0-28 day) (0-28 days) Vehicle 69.4 821.0 0.08 mpk compound 1 71.7 804.5  0.4 mpk compound 1 61.9 792.3  2.0 mpk compound 1 80.4 792.6   10 mpk compound 1 95.4 771.4

TABLE XI Effect of Example 1 on Metabolic Parameters in the 28 day ZDF efficacy study Vehicle 0.08 mpk 0.4 mpk 2.0 mpk 10.0 mpk Triglycerides 7.4 770 672 605 506 (mg/dL) Glucose (mg/dL) 445 444 419 376  274* FFA (NEFA, 0.93 1.2 0.61    0.87    0.75 mM) ketone (umol/L) 133 162 113  95*  85* cholesterol mg/dL 113 118 119 117 121 % Hb1Ac 10.1 10.1 10.0    8.8    7.7

While the foregoing specification teaches the principles of the present invention, with examples provided for the purpose of illustration, it will be understood that the practice of the invention encompasses all of the usual variations, adaptations and/or modifications as come within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of Formula (I)

wherein R₁ is halo, optionally substituted C₁₋₄alkyl, optionally substituted C₁₋₄alkoxy, or hydroxyl; R₂ is selected from halo substituted C₁₋₃alkyl, cyano, halo, —C(O)NH₂, and —C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl, alternatively R₂ is linked together to R₃ to form an aryl fused to the phenyl ring to which R₂ and R₃ are shown attached; R₃ is H, or alternatively R₃ is linked together to R₂ to form an aryl fused to the phenyl ring to which R₃ and R₂ are shown attached; R₄ is halo, cyano, —C≡CH, halo substituted C₁₋₃alkyl, —C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl, —C(O)NH₂, or —S(O₂)—C₁₋₄alkyl; and X is S or O; or an optical isomer, enantiomer, diastereomer, cis-trans isomer, racemate, prodrug or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, at least one additional drug, antibody and/or inhibitor for treating, ameliorating or slowing the progression of an ERR-α mediated disease.
 2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 comprising at least one compound selected from


3. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 2 comprising at least one compound selected from 